Latest news with #EFF
IOL News
7 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
EFF backs Tembisa residents in protest against electricity surcharge
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng has expressed their solidarity with the people of Tembisa who embarked on an electricity surcharge protest on Monday morning. The EFF has described this service charge as unreasonable, as it places an additional strain on the everyday residents of Ekurhuleni, who are already facing significant challenges due to widespread poverty and concerning unemployment figures in the region. The Metro had implemented a R126 electricity fixed surcharge, which the Executive Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, subsequently temporarily suspended after the protest during an address with the community. However, the red berets said this was not enough, they want the permanent removal of this expense, which they term as exploitative. The EFF further said Xhakaza's utterances are ineffective as he does not have the powers to make such pronouncements without consulting the legislature. This charge followed the 12.74% national electricity tariff increase approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), which came into effect on April 1, 2025 This contentious surcharge follows an alarming 12.74% increase in national electricity tariffs approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), which took effect on April 1, 2025. The increase is part of Nersa's multi-year revenue determination plan, which includes further hikes of 5.36% in the 2026–2027 financial year and 6.19% in 2027–2028. Nersa justified this increase as part of a multi-year revenue determination strategy aimed at stabilising the country's failing energy supply while attempting to remedy Eskom's challenging financial predicament, marred by aging infrastructure and ongoing load-shedding incidents. Nersa said it aims to stabilise the country's energy supply and support Eskom's deteriorating financial position, which has been hampered by aging infrastructure, delayed maintenance, and continued load-shedding.
IOL News
7 hours ago
- IOL News
EFF praises arrest of suspects in DJ Sumbody's murder case
The Alexandra Magistrate's Court has postponed the murder case against DJ Sumbody after four men who were arrested on Monday appeared in court on Tuesday. Image: X The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has welcomed the arrest of the four suspects linked to the murder of Oupa John Sefoka, popularly known as DJ Sumbody. This comes after the suspected killers appeared before the Alexandra Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, following their arrest on Monday afternoon. Their matter was subsequently postponed to July 29 with reports that one of the suspects is a known businessman, identified as Katiso Molefe, while the rest are alleged hitmen. The police further allege that the suspects are linked to 10 other high-profile cases, including the murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart. "The [police] team arrested four men between the ages of 45 and 60 in connection with the murder of a popular South African DJ, Oupa John Sefoka, popularly known as DJ Sumbody. Michael Pule, Floyd Mabusela, Mosa Kekana, and businessman Katiso Molefe, who is the alleged mastermind, are expected back in court on July 29," said police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe. Mathe confirmed that the suspects, aged between 45 and 60, were apprehended on Monday afternoon. The EFF, in a statement, welcomed the arrest, with the party stating: "We commend Gauteng's organised crime detectives and the Political Killings Task Team for their determined and methodical investigation, which has now resulted in the arrest of three suspected hitmen and the individual believed to have ordered the killing. A firearm recovered during the operation has been linked to multiple murders, highlighting the systemic nature of this violence and the importance of specialised units to combat it." In 2022, the gruesome murder of the talented artist sent shockwaves across the country after he was shot dead while driving in Woodmead. According to Mathe, this discovery suggests that the individuals involved in DJ Sumbody's death may be part of a larger network responsible for orchestrating and carrying out violent crimes in and around Johannesburg. She added that Swart, an engineer from Vereeniging, was gunned down outside his workplace in what appears to have been a case of mistaken identity. He was shot 23 times by an alleged hitman who reportedly mistook him for another employee. "We can confirm that four suspects who were arrested on Monday on the murder of DJ Sumbody have appeared today. They have been charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and the possession of illegal firearms, as well as ammunition. What is interesting is that the same suspects who were arrested were wanted for the murder of 30-year-old Armand Swart," she stated. While the police have not yet disclosed the full details regarding the motive, IOL has reported that those close to the investigation suggest that the killing may have stemmed from disputes involving business dealings or personal rivalries. [email protected]
The South African
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The South African
Nobuhle Nkabane: Ramaphosa should've axed Mchunu too
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) says the dismissal of Nobuhle Nkabane as the Minister of Higher Education and Training is a step in confronting the corruption and deceit that defined her short tenure. On Monday, 21 July, Ramaphosa fired Nkabane and appointed her deputy Buti Manamela as the Minister of Higher Education and Training while former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube was appointed the new deputy. Nkabane made headlines recently for appointing people politically connected to her party, the African National Congress (ANC), as chairpersons of the SETA boards irregularly. To make matters worse, at least four individuals whom Nkabane had claimed were part of the independent panel that appointed the chairpersons accused the former minister of lying and distanced themselves from the process. The South African previously reported that the appointments sparked public outrage as the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe's son, was also among those appointed by his former deputy, Nobuhle Nkabane. Eventually, Nkabane withdrew the appointments and reopened the process. However, the Democratic Alliance (DA) had already opened a case against her, accusing her of lying to Parliament. Reacting to the dismissal, the EFF said if Ramaphosa was genuine about his anti-corruption stance he would have also dismissed the Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu who is on special leave following allegations of corruption and political interference in police investigations. The party said instead, Mchunu remains protected and is receiving a full salary 'which is a clear sign he serves a role in preserving the interests of the criminal syndicate operating within the state'. 'This protection is possible only because Ramaphosa himself is deeply compromised, leading a regime that uses state machinery to protect allies and suppress accountability,' the party said. Furthermore, the EFF said the appointment of Nomusa Dube-Ncube as Manamela's deputy is not based on competence and is another clear indication that Ramaphosa is not serious about accountability or reform. The EFF said Dube-Ncube is also a controversial figure who was irregularly appointed by Nobuhle Nkabane to a SETA board and is now being rewarded with a senior government position. 'Her undeserved presence in the IDC board and past political roles showcase the fact that she has long been embedded in ANC patronage networks. This appointment is therefore not based on competence but on loyalty as another ANC crony is elevated to continue the cycle of misgovernance.' 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 Verge
a day ago
- The Verge
Power users.
Posted Jul 21, 2025 at 6:08 PM UTC Purportedly searching for illegal cannabis grow houses, the Sacramento Municipal Utilities District (SMUD) has been tipping off police about 'high' electricity usage based on smart meter readings. The EFF is suing, saying it's flagged Asian customers specifically, as 'SMUD analysts deemed one home suspicious because it was '4k [kWh], Asian,' and another suspicious because 'multiple Asians have reported there,'' while the cops sent accusatory 'nastygrams' to suspected homes in only English and Chinese. SMUD also admitted that 'high' readings could come from air conditioning, electric vehicles, and even Christmas lights. When Your Power Meter Becomes a Tool of Mass Surveillance [
SowetanLIVE
a day ago
- Politics
- SowetanLIVE
Malema slams 'sellout' Zuma's Morocco visit
EFF leader Julius Malema has criticised former president and MK Party leader Jacob Zuma for his recent visit to Morocco, calling him a 'sellout'. Zuma met Moroccan officials and expressed his support for Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara, contradicting the ANC's historical stance on the matter. 'That was a complete sellout position,' Malema said. 'Now there's a manoeuvre: they are no longer emphasising their party position on Morocco. They are saying, a former head of state can visit any country and have interactions with those people. No-one is questioning that; we are questioning his position and that of his party in relation to Morocco.' Malema was speaking on the sidelines of his appearance in the East London magistrate's court on Monday. The court heard closing remarks on the matter where Malema and his co-accused are charged with discharging a firearm in public during the EFF's fifth birthday celebration in 2018. He expressed support for Western Sahara's fight for independence: 'We are clear — we are for the people of Western Sahara and we must make sure they realise their freedom in their lifetime.' The conflict between Morocco and Western Sahara stems from Morocco's claim of sovereignty over the disputed territory. Zuma's visit sparked controversy with the ANC condemning his actions as 'reckless and provocative'.
