Latest news with #AtholTrollip
Eyewitness News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
ActionSA proposes constitutional amendments to stem SA's immigration problems
CAPE TOWN - ActionSA is proposing a raft of amendments to the Constitution aimed at stemming the country's immigration problems. Among these are changes to the Bill of Rights on provisions related to housing, healthcare and education. The party's Athol Trollip says that for too long, the country's hospitality and limited resources have been exploited. The deadline for submissions to Parliament's constitutional review committee closed on Saturday, with it having already received more than 200 submissions by late last month. ALSO READ: Motsoaledi tables new Immigration Amendment Bill ActionSA says amendments to the Constitution should start with the preamble, which has been used to extend constitutional protections even to those residing in the country illegally. The party says this deliberate misreading has placed undue pressure on limited public resources. Parliamentary leader Athol Trollip says amendments should also be made to Chapter 2 of the Bill of Rights in respect of Sections 26 and 27, related to housing and healthcare, respectively. "This is an area of exploitation that has a massive impact on our economy, and our municipality's ability to deliver the services required by people living in this country." Trollip says more than 70% of patient files at Johannesburg clinics belong to foreign nationals, while there's also pressure on schools to find placements for learners, prompting a recommendation to also amend Section 29 on education. "To provide only citizens, legal immigrants, and legally recognised residents, rather than all people living in South Africa, because this is where the illegal immigration crisis impacts our country so dramatically." It will now be up to the parliamentary committee to hold oral hearings and to debate whether to propose amendments to the house, which will require a two-thirds majority to pass.
Eyewitness News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
ActionSA says not much engagement with ANC since helping it pass budget 3.0
Thabiso Goba 21 May 2025 | 10:15 ActionSA Budget Speech Government of national unity (GNU) ActionSA parliamentary leader, Athol Trollip, during debate on the State of the Nation Address in Parliament on 11 February 2025. Picture: GCIS JOHANNESBURG - ActionSA says it has not had much engagement with the African National Congress (ANC) since assisting it to pass the previous budget. ActionSA, which is not part of the Government of National Unity (GNU), voted with the ANC to pass the April budget, which was later set aside by the Western Cape High Court. On Wednesday afternoon, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will make a third attempt to table a budget in Parliament. READ: Budget 3.0 Godongwana's moment of truth As the rain poured in Cape Town ahead of the budget speech, ActionSA seems to have been left out in the cold. The party's parliamentary leader, Athol Trollip, said they only worked with the ANC to avert a crisis, not to enter the GNU. "We really don't care what it looks like, we have a government of national unity (GNU), they are going to use their majority to pass the budget and that's fine because they need to implement the budget, this is their baby and while they do that, they need to consider the massive unemployment programme in the country." Trollip said they were expecting more money to be allocated to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) so it can go after tax evaders. He said government should also consider cutting the bloated GNU cabinet and its perks. ALSO READ: ActionSA warns of doom in manufacturing industry, calls for speedy economic reforms 'We really don't care what it looks like,' Athol Trollip, ActionSA parliamentary leader on whether the party has been frozen out by the ANC now that there is consensus in the GNU over the budget. TCG — EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 21, 2025
News24
08-05-2025
- Politics
- News24
Trollip denies he was assaulted in altercation at Parliament described as ‘wild'
EFF MP Sam Matiase allegedly assaulted ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip. Trollip denies he was physically assaulted but confirms 'a disagreeable incident'. Trollip says he reported the matter to Matiase's party leader, Julius Malema, for him to deal with. When is a punch-up not a punch-up? When the leader of a political party says it wasn't. Wednesday's meeting of Parliament's Chief Whips Forum ended in an alleged punch-up between EFF MP Sam Matiase and ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip. While the details are sketchy, the EFF does not deny a punch-up happened – sources say Trollip's glasses and hearing aid flew into the air – but the alleged victim is insistent no physical assault happened. As is so often the case with matters before Parliament, perspectives vary greatly. A source who witnessed the 'altercation' said: 'It was wild.' Sources claim towards the end of the meeting, which sits behind closed doors and which was held in Parliament's Good Hope Chamber, Matiase approached Trollip and confronted him. Trollip allegedly responded, telling Matiase to 'get lost'. 'Then Matiase got quite aggressive… and he swung for Athol and knocked his glasses off his head and his phone went flying two rows away from him. 'The phone and glasses went flying, and the problem is that Athol's hearing aids are also linked to his glasses.' According to the sources, MPs from the ANC and DA and Parliament's officials had a hard time trying to break the two men up. They claimed Trollip's jacket had come off and his bag was open and in tatters. The EFF's take on the incident is that Matiase was provoked by Trollip, who allegedly has longstanding resentment towards the party. Matiase referred questions to party spokesperson Sinawo Thambo. Thambo said: 'I am aware of an altercation between Mr Trollip and Sam Matiase, which we have come to understand was provoked by a short-tempered lashing out by Trollip against Matiase. 'We are not interested in commenting on the nature of the altercation and hope Mr Trollip can get the help he needs to resolve his seemingly unresolved resentment towards the EFF from past political engagements – including his tenure as mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay.' Trollip told News24: 'Mr Matiase did not physically attack me, hence I suffered no injuries. There was a disagreeable incident arising from his provocation and unbecoming behaviour.' While politicians are generally quick to lay criminal charges against offending colleagues in the legislature, Trollip only reported the matter to EFF leader Julius Malema. 'I've informed his party leader about the incident. I'm happy that it will be dealt with.'
