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IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
ANC, EFF members join 'Bomb Squad' to help turn things around in Joburg at no pay
Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero and Dr. Snuki Zikalala announce the new 'Bomb Squad' task team during a media briefing at the Soweto Hotel, Kliptown. Image: Timothy Bernad/African Neww Agency (ANA) ANC-linked members, former city managers, and EFF members have been roped in to form a part of a task team called the 'Bomb Squad,' aimed at tackling the City of Johannesburg's service delivery issues and governance challenges. The team was officially announced on Thursday at the Soweto Hotel in Kliptown by City of Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero. Addressing the media, Morero said the unit will focus on combating 'crime and grime,' lawlessness, and service delivery bottlenecks, and to fast-track municipal turnaround efforts. 'Business intelligence gathering will be at the core of the Bomb Squad's work,' Morero said. 'This will be executed by holding meetings with relevant authorities to isolate areas vulnerable to land and building invasions and propose proactive interventions.' According to Morero, the team's key objectives include activating rapid response teams in identified service delivery hotspots, acting as the eyes and ears of the executive mayor, and enabling swift interventions to address lawlessness. The initiative comes as the metro is battling with challenges, including hijacked buildings, chronic water shortages, rolling power outages, pothole-riddled roads, broken traffic lights, rampant crime, and widespread municipal corruption. Residents have repeatedly voiced frustration over the city's inability to address these persistent issues. During his State of the City Address in May, Morero first announced the formation of the Bomb Squad, which is to be led by ANC Veterans League president Dr. Snuki Zikalala. He said the team's mandate is to identify key problem areas and support city departments in delivering effective services. The 'Bomb Squad' includes several high-profile figures, including former city managers and executives such as Blake Mosley-Lefatole, Mavela Dlamini, and Professor Trevor Fowler. Gerald Dumas, a former chief operations officer, also joins the team, alongside Reggie Boqo, the city's former group chief finance officer. Philisiwe Twala-Tau will represent SALGA with a focus on enforcing good governance principles, while Vicky Shuping, an advisor to the mayor, will coordinate service delivery and urban management efforts. Principal Busani Ngwani, from the National School of Governance and a member of the Group Performance Audit Committee, will focus on governance improvements. In addition to the team are Dr. Kwezi Mabasa, from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, and EFF senior researcher Dr. Gumani Tshimomola, both of whom will contribute to economic development strategies, Morero said. Audrey Mothupi, CEO of Systemic Logic Group, will manage partnerships with the private sector. Morero said most of the team members are already employed in Johannesburg or in other municipalities and are volunteering their services. He told the media that only Zikalala will receive a salary.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
EFF MP Sihle Lonzi grills Nkabane over secret SETA panel, ‘Is it your boyfriend?'
EFF MP Sihle Lonzi questions the legitimacy of the panel that recommended SETA board appointments during a tense committee briefing last week on Friday Image: Independent Newspapers Archives EFF MP Sihle Lonzi has questioned Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane who recommended the withdrawn Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA) chairs, suggesting it could include 'her boyfriend or family members.' The matter was brought before the Committee of Higher Education and Training on Friday where Nkabane faced sharp criticism from opposition MP's. Nkabane repeatedly refused to disclose the names of members of the panel that recommended the now-withdrawn chairpersons of the SETAs. This comes after Nkabane faced backlash over leaked appointments to SETA boards, which included several ANC-linked individuals, among them, former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube and Buyambo Mantashe, son of ANC national chairperson and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe. Nkabane appeared before the committee last week on Friday after she rescinded the appointments in response to the public outcry. Despite that, she insisted the process adhered to legal and governance standards. 'The integrity of the process was beyond scrutiny and reproach,' Nkabane said. She told the Committee forHigher Education and Training on Friday that the panel had operated under the guidance of the King IV Report on Corporate Governance. Nkabane said a dedicated structure to oversee nominations was recommended by the Auditor-General in 2020. 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 ✕ According to her, the department received 573 nominations, of which only 20 were recommended by an independent panel. Nkabane emphasised that the panel members were reputable individuals who volunteered their services and did not act on behalf of the ministry. 'They don't claim to execute this responsibility on behalf of the minister,' she said. However, when Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Letta Maseko asked her to name the panelists, Nkabane declined. 'There is no need for me to come and declare my volunteers, the people who assisted me voluntarily to execute my responsibilities,' she said. 'If something wrong happened, then hold accountable the person empowered by legislation, the minister, not them.' Asked again, Nkabane said, 'I can't share the names. Whatever comes, the responsibility lies with the minister. I am not going to drag them...' Umkhonto weSizwe Party MP Mnqobi Msezane said the panel's identity was a matter of public interest and accused the department of appointing 'ghost people.' Meanwhile, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Lonzi said he did not accept the minister's claim that the process was above board. 'We want to know who those people are,' Lonzi said, as he questioned the legitimacy of decisions made by the unknown group. 'Who are the profiles of this independent panel that you take so seriously, who told you who to put in the SETAs, NSFAS board, and university councils? Who are your advisers? Is it your mother? Is it your sister? Is it your friend? Is it your boyfriend? Is it your girlfriend?'
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Leaked list reveals ANC figures and minister's son appointed to SETA board
A leaked list of new appointments to Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) boards has sparked a political outcry, as prominent ANC-linked individuals — including Mineral Minister Gwede Mantashe's son, Buyambo Mantashe, and former KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube — have been tapped to lead these influential institutions. The appointments were made by Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Nobuhle Nkabane. DA national spokesperson, Karabo Khakhau, condemned the appointments, describing them as blatant 'political patronage' and warning against the growing politicisation of public institutions. 'These appointments raise serious concerns about the politicisation of institutions meant to serve all South Africans. SETAs are not ANC cadre deployment havens, nor should they be misused as rewards for political loyalty,' Khakhau said. According to the leaked list: - Buyambo Mantashe has been appointed Chairperson of the MERSETA Board. - Nomusa Dube-Ncube will head the BANKSETA Board. - Siboniso Mbhele, Head of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, joins the TETA Board. - Loyiso Masuku, ANC deputy regional secretary in Johannesburg and MMC for Corporate Services in the City of Johannesburg, is appointed to the FOODBEV Board.
IOL News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
ANC figures and minister's son appointed to SETA board, according to leaked list
A leaked list of new appointments to Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) boards has sparked a political outcry, as prominent ANC-linked individuals — including Mineral Minister Gwede Mantashe's son, Buyambo Mantashe, and former KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube — have been tapped to lead these influential institutions. The appointments were made by Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Nobuhle Nkabane. DA national spokesperson, Karabo Khakhau, condemned the appointments, describing them as blatant 'political patronage' and warning against the growing politicisation of public institutions. 'These appointments raise serious concerns about the politicisation of institutions meant to serve all South Africans. SETAs are not ANC cadre deployment havens, nor should they be misused as rewards for political loyalty,' Khakhau said. According to the leaked list: - Buyambo Mantashe has been appointed Chairperson of the MERSETA Board. - Nomusa Dube-Ncube will head the BANKSETA Board. - Siboniso Mbhele, Head of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, joins the TETA Board. - Loyiso Masuku, ANC deputy regional secretary in Johannesburg and MMC for Corporate Services in the City of Johannesburg, is appointed to the FOODBEV Board.
