News you should know tonight: Top 5 stories you may have missed on July 15, 2025
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It's Tuesday, July 15, 2025, and it's time for a wrap of the biggest headlines making waves in South Africa and beyond. Don't forget to join the IOL WhatsApp Channel to stay in tune, informed, and in the know.
Mbalula breaks silence: Mchunu no-show at ANC integrity commission
African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula confirmed that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu failed to appear before the party's Integrity Commission, despite accusations made against him by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. To read on, click here.
DA claims President Ramaphosa misled the public on Mcebisi Jonas's US visa rejection
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has alleged that President Cyril Ramaphosa's special envoy to the United States, Mcebisi Jonas, was rejected by Washington in May 2025. To read on, click here.
'Cyril Must Go': Durban crowd demands action, not inquiries, after Mkhwanazi allegations
Hundreds of Durban's residents came out in support of KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on Tuesday morning for the Hands Off Mkhwanazi march. To read on, click here.
Is Ramaphosa's appointment of an Acting Police Minister unconstitutional?
President Cyril Ramaphosa's appointment of an acting police minister, alongside Police Minister Senzo Mchunu being placed on special leave, could be a case of executive overstepping, a constitutional law expert believes. To read on, click here.
Barbara Creecy dissolves Road Accident Fund board over governance issues
The Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, has taken decisive action by dissolving the board of directors of the Road Accident Fund (RAF), citing ongoing governance and operational challenges that have severely hindered the entity's ability to fulfil its legislative responsibilities. To read on, click here.
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Daily Maverick
30 minutes ago
- Daily Maverick
It's ANC business as usual for Senzo Mchunu, despite being put on special leave
As South Africa grapples with explosive allegations of criminal syndicates and political meddling in the SAPS, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is yet to face any accountability from the ANC. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu will continue attending parliamentary meetings and doing party work despite being placed on special leave by President Cyril Ramaphosa. As an ordinary MP, Mchunu will continue to enjoy several benefits, including a monthly salary of about R100,000 and free flights. On Tuesday, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said that Mchunu remained an ordinary MP and would continue executing his duties as a senior member of the ANC. He is a member of various structures in the party, including the National Executive Committee (NEC), the party's highest decision-making body in between conferences, and the National Working Committee (NWC). Mchunu did not attend the party's most recent NWC meeting on Monday, 14 June. Mbalula said it dealt with crucial issues, but Mchunu's was not among them. 'Comrade Senzo is a member of the NWC. He's a member of the NEC. There's no curtailment on those roads. We, in fact, expected him to attend the meeting yesterday, and he gave me an apology, and I told him that I need to sit down with him, that this absence of leave, we are not affected by it as the ANC. 'His absence of leave is in relation to his point of deployment. So we will straighten up issues. He will come to meetings. He must execute his task as a leader of the ANC,' said Mbalula. Allegations of serious misconduct Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on immediate leave of absence after KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged serious misconduct on the part of Mchunu, including disbanding a specialised task team investigating political killings. Regarding media reports that Mchunu had been summoned to appear before the ANC's Integrity Commission, which deals with offences and conduct that tarnish the image or integrity of the party, Mbalula said this was 'disinformation' as Mchunu had yet to appear. 'There has not been any decision arrived at on this matter. Until comrades appear before the Integrity Commission, as and when they appear, the Integrity Commission will deal with the matters.' The commission, led by veteran anti-apartheid activist the Rev Frank Chikane, has been criticised for being toothless as it only makes recommendations on how disciplinary matters should be handled, while the final say lies with the NEC. Mkhwanazi made astounding accusations about fellow police officers and other state officials, including that: A high-level criminal syndicate in South Africa extends into the South African Police Service (SAPS), the police ministry, Parliament, official prison structures, the judiciary and other law-enforcing authorities; A drug cartel headquartered in Gauteng controls that syndicate; At the end of last year, Mchunu issued a directive to disband the Political Killings Task Team to shield politically connected members of a criminal syndicate from prosecution; and Mchunu was in cahoots with organised crime accused Vusi 'Cat' Matlala. Mchunu denied the accusations. Commission of inquiry On Sunday, Ramaphosa announced the creation of a judicial commission of inquiry into Mkhwanazi's allegations. While its terms of reference have not yet been made public, he said it would investigate allegations relating to the infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence and associated institutions within the criminal justice system by criminal syndicates. The ANC rallied behind the establishment of the commission, saying it was a sustainable path for rebuilding public institutions. Mbalula said Ramaphosa's 'approach is not driven by the need for applause but by the imperative of transformation and accountability within the bounds of legality. 'The African National Congress stands resolute in defence of constitutional governance. We reaffirm our support for the commission of inquiry, for the president's leadership and for all lawful and transparent processes aimed at restoring the integrity of the state. In the end, the strength of our democracy will be judged not by the absence of a crisis but by how we respond to it.' The NEC was due to meet this coming weekend to discuss a range of issues, including the fragile Government of National Unity, preparations for the party's national general council, and the SA Communist Party contesting elections independently. However, Mbalula said the meeting had been postponed. In the meantime, the NWC will engage with party regions in the Western Cape on Saturday, followed by a meeting with the provincial executive on Sunday. DM
The South African
4 hours ago
- The South African
Incoming acting police minister blasts 'corruption in ANC'
Professor Firoz Cachalia , the incoming acting Minister of Police, has strongly criticised corruption within the ANC, calling it 'an enormous source of shame.' In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Kachalia said his political loyalties will not stop him from tackling wrongdoing. He pledged to act even if it involves members of his own party. 'My ANC conscience requires that I tackle these challenges with principles and a clear commitment to the country's democratic institutions,' he said. 'Corruption in the ANC is an enormous source of shame to me and to many of us.' Kachalia said he accepted President Cyril Ramaphosa's offer 'without a second's hesitation,' describing the role as an extension of his lifelong work in defending South Africa's democracy. The presidency announced the appointment will take effect from 1 August, after his academic term at the University of the Witwatersrand ends. The appointment has drawn political fire. The Economic Freedom Fighters and the MK Party claim the move violates Section 98 of the Constitution. They argue the president cannot assign ministerial functions to someone outside Cabinet. Kachalia defended the decision, noting that the president can appoint two ministers who are not Members of Parliament. 'These are political and ethical questions, not legal ones,' he said. 'The president had to act.' Asked about his approach to cleaning up the police ministry amid allegations of political interference and criminal infiltration. Kachalia said he would start by consulting senior police leadership and listening to their views. He also welcomed the formation of a judicial commission of inquiry, calling it a valuable fact-finding tool that will assist his office. 'The process that I need to follow is quite clear,' he said. 'I'm going to have the benefit of an objective, reliable process conducted by experienced judges.' Kachalia also chairs the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, which recently submitted a midterm and closeout report to the presidency. The reports highlight deep structural failures in SAPS crime intelligence and recommend urgent reforms, including the creation of a new anti-corruption agency. While the presidency has not yet made the report public or acted on its proposals, Kachalia said he now has an opportunity to bring those ideas into the Ministry of Police. He admitted the processing of the report 'has taken too long' and emphasised the urgency of implementing reforms. Kachalia will perform his duties in full for as long as the president retains him, despite the post being described as 'acting.' 'Once I'm sworn in, I'm the Minister of Police until the president says otherwise,' he said. 'And if he allows me to continue, I will.' 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.
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Ramaphosa slams infrastructure budget underspending as 'treason' against South Africans
Mayibongwe Maqhina | Published 2 weeks ago The failure by provinces and municipalities to spend infrastructure budgets has been described by President Cyril Ramaphosa as treason against South Africans. "The issue of underspending is quite an important issue, particularly when it comes to spending on infrastructure allocations such as housing, education, water, and roads. "I actually often characterise it as treason against the people of South Africa when monies that had been allocated are not spent and are returned to the National Treasury," Ramaphosa said. He was responding during a question-and-answer session in the National Council of Provinces in Cape Town, on Wednesday. ANC MP Kenny Mmoiemaang had enquired about whether the government has assessed the impact of inadequate spending by provinces and municipalities on their commitments to deliver quality and essential services to communities, particularly crucial infrastructure such as housing, schools, and roads. Mmoiemang also wanted to know whether the government has been engaging provinces and municipalities that continue to underspend and fail to adequately utilise their allocated service delivery budgets. In his response, Ramaphosa said inadequate or slow capital expenditure has, in many ways, hampered the delivery of services that are due to the people. "This results in delays in housing delivery, stalled infrastructure projects such as schools, water, as well as sanitation and waste management infrastructure projects." He blamed the inability of municipalities to spend their capital projects on poor management, poor planning, weak implementation capacity, and inadequate financial and supply chain management. Ramaphosa said there were interventions in place, such as the budget monitoring forums coordinated by the National Treasury to track in-year spending and detect low expenditure patterns at an early stage, and support programmes by the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs ( Cogta) Ministry. There were also capacity-building programmes that were organised by the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency, and the Cabinet has appointed an inter-ministerial committee to support distressed municipalities. Ramaphosa added that Operation Vulindlela is implementing reforms to strengthen local government, and dedicated groups have been established in eThekwini and the City of Johannesburg to address challenges with water and electricity infrastructure. "This innovative initiative is going to see great changes being introduced. These measures will help address the root causes of underspending and ensure infrastructure is maintained and expanded to improve service delivery." Asked about mechanisms to ensure consequence management for failure to spend on infrastructure allocations, Ramaphosa said the Auditor-General has highlighted the lack of consequence management when both elected and employed officials were unable to meet their obligations. "It is a matter we are addressing, particularly as we now move to professionalise the public service. That does not absolve the elected officials or representatives," he said. Cape Argus
