14 August 2025: 'Trump issues warning to Putin if he refuses to end Ukraine war' and other world headlines
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The Citizen
40 minutes ago
- The Citizen
The SACP comes to General Maphwanya's rescue after criticism for controversial foreign policy comments
South Africa has been criticised for its unclear foreign policy of non-alignment. The South African Communist Party (SACP) has come to the defence of South Africa's army chief, General Rudzana Maphwanya. This comes after the government distanced itself from controversial comments made by Mphwanya during his recent trip to Iran. Maphwananya came under fire for suggesting that South Africa and Iran have common goals. He also criticised Israel for its actions in the ongoing war in Gaza. In a statement on Saturday the SACP said there was nothing wrong with the comments Maphwanya made. 'The SANDF chief's comments in Iran regarding political and policy questions reportedly included South Africa's adopted and correctly articulated policy positions on Palestine.' it said. 'This reflects South Africa's international relations and cooperation policy, including solidarity.' The SACP believes that the government seems to be punishing Maphwanya for his comments. 'The government and the Presidency in particular, appears to have begun to act to isolate and punish the chief of the military for the alleged contravention of military code regarding political statements and policy statements made during the trip. 'This action is not an objective act of correcting the defence conduct of a soldier but is a political capitulation to Western-aligned imperialist, right-wing pressure directly influenced by the imperialists' political interests.' South Africa's foreign policy dilemma The SACP accused the South African government of mixed messages concerning its foreign policy. 'It clearly appears that the government is being cajoled to project itself as pro-West and anti-Iran.' Will action be taken against Maphwanya The party also said Maphwanya's comments should not be compared to the actions of DA MP Andrew Whitfield who went to the US on an unapproved trip during his time as deputy minister of trade, industry and competition. President Cyril Ramaphosa subsequently removed Whitfield as the deputy minister. 'This comparison is incorrect, as Maphwanya's visit took place within the framework of military regulations with the full knowledge of the Minister of Defence whereas Whitfield's visit was unauthorised. 'The SACP rejects the impending acts of isolation and scapegoating of Maphwanya to appease Western imperialist forces and their domestic agents. compromising South Africa's sovereign right to formulate and implement its own foreign policy, including on defence cooperation.' The party said any actions by the government towards Maphwanya as military chief must be based on strengthening the country's military institutions and their capabilities. 'The SACP rejects any attempt at dictating which nations South Africa may have bilateral relations with, including defence, trade and investment. 'We will defend our country's right to build relations based on mutual respect, equality and solidarity, free from the dictatorship of Washington, Brussels or their local political surrogates.' ALSO READ: Ministries distance themselves from SANDF chief's comments in Iran Tensions with the U.S The SACP's remarks come as South Africa is on a mission to reset relations with the US. The Trump administration has also slapped South Africa with a 30% tariff on exports. Relations with the US have been strained since the spreading of misinformation by some civic organisations. NOW READ: Ramaphosa unaware of 'ill-advised' Iran trip by SANDF chief – Magwenya
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
The Le Roux Question: Millions shape media, courts, democracy?
The Millennium Trust funds initiatives in media, law, civil society, and politics across South Africa, supporting organisations such as Daily Maverick, amaBhungane, CASAC, Freedom Under Law, and Judges Matter. | These grantees are said to operate with full editorial and organisational independence, but the Trust's influence is said to be exercised indirectly through advocacy, investigative work, and legal reform efforts, rather than through direct control. | The Trust provides financial support to the Democratic Alliance Image: Sizwe Dlamini ECONOMIST Dr Séan Mfundza Muller has issued a stark warning about the growing power of South Africa's ultra-wealthy, spotlighting Michiel le Roux, co-founder of Capitec Bank, and his alleged behind-the-scenes influence on media, politics, and civil society through strategic funding, raising questions about accountability, transparency, and the integrity of democratic institutions. Speaking on Ntsiki Mazwai's Moya podcast, Muller said: 'Another South African billionaire, who I think is very interesting, is Michiel le Roux, who is one of the people behind Capitec. Now, as far as I know — and I heard this both from a private source and then I also came across a public source of this information — Le Roux is behind a trust called the Millennium Trust.' Muller explained that, according to his research and private discussions, the Millennium Trust, which was founded around 2010, supports a 'constellation of powerful voices in civil society', noting: 'The Millennium Trust funds the Daily Maverick, amaBungane, the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (Casac), Freedom Under Law, as far as I know … and I'm going from memory here.' He further said that the trust operated with a certain degree of opacity: 'But so you've got all these civil society organisations, all these media outlets being funded by this … trust. I mean, I've gone to look at the directors. You would never guess from the directors of this trust. You would not be able to find out who's behind it.' 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 ✕ Muller described how he discovered the connection: 'I only found out because I stumbled across something online and because somebody who had direct knowledge … told me privately that Le Roux is behind this.' When reached for comments, the Millennium Trust said they would get the appropriate person to respond to questions from the Sunday Independent, but had not got back to us by the time of compiling this report. Attempts to get comments from Le Roux drew a blank. Regarding potential implications, Muller raised concerns about editorial independence and transparency, saying: 'While these funds support critical journalistic and civic activities, concerns persist about their impact on editorial independence. Newsrooms such as the Daily Maverick and amaBhungane maintain that funding does not dictate editorial control, yet the exact terms and amounts often lack full public disclosure, raising questions about transparency in media financing.' He also spoke about Le Roux's financial support to South Africa's main opposition party, the DA: 'Michiel le Roux funds the DA … so he also funds their court cases. He funds the civil society organisations that apply to the court to be friends of the court in court cases. And he funds the media houses that report on all of that.' Muller posed a rhetorical question on the ramifications for public understanding: 'Okay, now, how do you think as an ordinary person, you're going to be able to get accurate information on, for example, who's corrupt and who's not, who's good and who's bad?' He noted that Le Roux's donations reportedly exceeded R50 million between 2021 and 2023 through private companies such as Fynbos Ekwiteit and Fynbos Kapitaal, making him among the largest disclosed donors to the DA within that timeframe. Muller also commented on broader patterns of philanthropic influence: 'This is just one billionaire. When they control three, right, and those are just the ones we know about, right, that's not even like particularly covert. As soon as you know who's funding the trust, you can figure that out loud, right? There's a whole lot of other stuff that we know less about, what we have to find out about through private sources … like who's funding Rivonia Circle … which is another thing which I've raised over the last couple of years.' Reflecting on new civic movements and political projects, Muller observed: 'Rivonia Circle was really the platform that Songezo Zibi used to start Rise Mzansi, which eventually we discovered was funded by the Oppenheimers.'
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
SACC calls for transparency and unity ahead of National Dialogue
The South African Council of Churches (SACC) has expressed concern over the upcoming National Dialogue Convention, calling for greater transparency, inclusivity, and accountability in the lead-up to the event scheduled for August 15 and 16, 2025. In a statement following an emergency meeting of its national church leaders on August 11, the SACC said the gathering was held to reflect on the 'diverse views of the Christian leaders in the SACC and establish a united response to the country's temperature as relates to the National Dialogue.' The intervention from the SACC comes as momentum around the National Dialogue is threatened by a growing number of withdrawals and concerns around the process. Several prominent legacy foundations, including the Steve Biko Foundation, Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation, Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, WDB Foundation, Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation, and the Strategic Dialogue Group, announced their withdrawal last Friday. ActionSA, AfriForum, the Solidarity union, and the Freedom Front Plus have also pulled out of the National Dialogue, raising further questions about the inclusivity and legitimacy of the process. The church leaders believe that postponing the National Convention 'would have been a wise route to consider,' to allow space for reflection and alignment around the core needs of the South African people. Such a delay, they said, could help to 'maximise unity through an inclusive journey from the start.' The SACC said in a media statement dated 2 July 2024: 'It is our experience that for such an effort to be successful, it does need to be protected from narrow political interests; and must be seen and experienced as being in the control of the people rather than a few who speak on behalf of others. It must be inclusive of all sectors of society to ensure its legitimacy in the eyes of the people.' They warned that 'the concerns raised about the readiness to host the National Convention in their totality must be addressed to build confidence in society.' They said this can only happen through 'transparency, accountability, and adherence to all procurement laws.' The SACC said the dialogue must be guided by societal ownership and leadership, and that any misdirection of resources 'needs to be clearly spelt out' with 'appropriate steps' taken. Calling on the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) to lead with integrity, the SACC said: 'At this juncture, the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) should provide moral leadership that will unite us all.' They added that the group was formed 'to make sure that in everything related to the National Dialogue, it becomes the face of its leadership, and the voice of reason to speak truth to all actors at all times.' The SACC acknowledged the latest public commitment from EPG co-chairs, Prof Tinyiko Maluleke and Mr Roelf Meyer, who said: 'The EPG will be reaching out to the foundations and the Presidency to seek solutions to the issues they have raised. ''The EPG will also be reaching out to the political players who have opted out of the process. Such is the nature of an authentic National Dialogue that the door must remain open for everyone to join the process.'
