Latest news with #FFPlus
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Fallen councillor remembered, mourners demand action
Members of the metro's council recently held a special council meeting, which served as a memorial service for the late Councillor Thabang Masemola. The Ward 10 Councillor was gunned down by an unknown man outside a tuck shop on the main road in Stoffel Park, in the far east of Mamelodi, on July 9. Members of Masemola's family, as well as councillors from all political parties, gathered on July 18 to celebrate his life. Many councillors called for justice to come swiftly, demanding that Masemola's death not be in vain, and that the perpetrators not roam free. Councillor Katlego Makgaleng said that though they represent different political parties, they are one as councillors. 'He was a man of integrity. He was a great man. As Alderman Maluleka said, you would think he's very quiet looking at him from the outside, but inside, he was a man of integrity and wisdom, who was always willing to impart some of that wisdom with those he engaged with,' Makgalaeng said. Councillor Komaseroto Benjamin Disoloane of the EFF said the feeling was unreal as he and many others were used to seeing Masemola daily. He further called on the mayor and all councillors to wage war against all criminals in the city. 'If we really respect and want to honour Thabang, we have to fight crime like no one has ever seen before. We cannot come here and sit, and send our well wishes without doing anything. 'Tomorrow it might be you. The question is, what do we do now? If need be, let's have our own General Mkhwanazi here in the metro,' Disoloane said. Councillor Jacob Mathabathe said that it was not right that Masemola's life was needlessly taken and that his children remain heartbroken. 'We want to tell the Masemola family that we are with you, always. Thabang's death must not be in vain. 'We've had a lot of councillors who have been murdered, and we don't know what happened to this day; the culprits have not been found. 'We have to make sure that every culprit who commits murder, not only of councillors but any murderer, must be brought to justice. 'One murder is one too many. We've got to stand up and say: Enough is enough,' Mathabathe said. Councillor Déhan Harmse expressed his condolences to the family with two Bible verses which spoke of comfort during trying times. He said that Thabang's death has left the FF Plus with a heavy heart, and extended the party's condolences to the ANC. 'I saw Councillor Masemola's passion first-hand at the start of last year, during an oversight visit at Lusaka Clinic. 'He was very adamant about pushing the completion of the clinic so it could serve the community in and around the ward he served. 'This showed me that he truly cared for the people he served and truly cared for their well-being,' Harmse said. On July 9, Masemola and his companion were taking his new car out for a test drive. While stopping for food on Malapana Street and engaging in conversation with a friend, an unknown man, wearing a jacket with a hoodie, approached them and shot Masemola several times. Following the shooting, the suspect got into a car and left the scene. Emergency services declared Masemola dead on the scene. Police continue to ask residents with any information regarding the shooting to contact local law enforcement. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
US demands on exemption from South Africa's BEE requirements yet to be addressed with Ramaphosa
The Freedom Front Plus delegation in Washington last week. Image: Facebook/FFPlus FF Plus leader Corné Mulder says he has yet to brief President Cyril Ramaphosa on claims that the Trump administration has demanded that US entities be exempted from all Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) requirements as a precondition for normalising bilateral relations with South Africa. There are more than 600 US companies based in South Africa. Mulder made the claims as a FF Plus delegation returned from the US where they met with senior White House officials. This demand was part of a broader set of conditions that include addressing farm attacks, condemning the "Kill the Boer" chant, and ensuring fair market compensation for land expropriation. According to Mulder, the White House officials expressed concern that these conditions have not been adequately addressed. In May, President Cyril Ramaphosa and his delegation embarked on a working visit to the US to meet with US president Donald Trump to help reset strained relations between the two countries, and secure a favorable trade deal after a fallout over the International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against Israel that had been instituted by South Africa. Mulder, who held a press briefing on yesterday, said the delegation was committed to normalising relations between South Africa and the US and described Ramaphosa's visit with Trump in May as 'premature'. "We have a clear understanding of the US Administration's expectations," Mulder said. "The delegation has undertaken to communicate these pre-conditions to both the South African government and the broader public in the interest of transparency, accountability, and the restoration of strong bilateral ties,' said Mulder. Mulder added that they had not gone to the US to complain. He said that discussions on claimed genocide did not arise and they did not meet with the 50 white Afrikaners who were granted refugee status by the Trump administration. Southern African Agri Initiative chairman Theo de Jager, and National Employers' Association CEO Gerhard Papenfus were also part of the delegation. According to business group Sakeliga's CEO Piet le Roux, this development marks a substantial escalation in international pressure against South Africa's 'race-restrictive economic policies'. "The international backlash against BEE and other race-restrictive policies of the South African government is set to escalate further in the coming months and years," Le Roux said. Le Roux noted that the US demand elevates race-restrictive legislation beyond domestic affairs to the level of international economic and diplomatic relations This could lead to a ratcheting up of US-led bilateral or multilateral pressure opposing restrictive legislation in South Africa. Speaking on BEE, De Jager said there was only one way to avoid economic migrants and that was by improving their livelihoods. "The principle here is that there must be equal citizenship…there must be respective property rights and there must be an environment where we can also do business. 'They (Trump administration) said to us that they had heard us on the BEE matter, that it is a non-trade tariff barrier and they said that they would not restore any trade relationship if these preconditions are not adhered to. 'The biggest war of our generation is poverty and hunger and the only way we can deal with that is to create wealth…So we are gradually losing investment because of the likes of BEE and the threat to expropriate your property without compensation. You cannot invest in a country where you are not safe. 'We need an environment that will safeguard investment whether you are black or white. As Afrikaners we don't have access to production financing anymore. We need that kind of access,' said de Jager. Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) spokesperson Chrispin Phiri told IOL that the group was pursuing its "own agenda". "Our experience is that State actors do not use non-state actors as intermediaries; therefore, the Freedom Front Plus' (VF Plus) visit and subsequent pronouncements will be viewed as nothing more than their ambitions," he said. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya did not respond to questions on how the South African government would react to the US demands. However, Ramaphosa has previously indicated that he would not back down from implementing BEE policies. "BEE is not holding back the economy, but rather the concentrated nature of our economy is," Ramaphosa said. He defended using racial designations as a means to address economic disparities, although he acknowledged that this might not be necessary in the future.
The Citizen
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: FF+: US wants ANC to denounce chant
Here's your daily news update for Wednesday, 2 July 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. News today includes Freedom Front (FF) Plus leader Corne Mulder says President Cyril Ramaphosa and his team were unable to reset relations with the United States (US) government. Meanwhile, after the collapse of racism allegations against Pretoria High School for Girls principal Phillipa Erasmus, she has been found guilty of allowing her husband to work for free to maintain the school's gardens. Furthermore, Kaizer Chiefs announced that more new signings will be unveiled after the first three signings were confirmed. Weather tomorrow: 3 July 2025 Disruptive rain and flooding warnings are in place for the Western Cape, as parts of the Northern Cape, North West, Free State, and Eastern Cape brace for damaging winds, thunderstorms and fire danger. Most provinces can expect cool, cloudy weather with scattered showers. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. FF Plus claims White House officials want ANC to publicly denounce 'Kill the Boer' chant Freedom Front (FF) Plus leader Corne Mulder says President Cyril Ramaphosa and his team were unable to reset relations with the United States (US) government. Ramaphosa met US President Donald Trump in May, accompanied by businessman Johann Rupert, some Cabinet ministers and South African golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. US President Donald Trump meets with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on 21 May 2025 amid tensions over Washington's resettlement of white Afrikaners that the US president claims are the victims of 'genocide'. Photo: AFP However, Mulder told reporters at the OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday that Ramaphosa's meeting with Trump was a failure. CONTINUE READING: FF Plus claims White House officials want ANC to publicly denounce 'Kill the Boer' chant Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge used to comment on everyone's outfits at work, not just those of the secretary for the judges, Andiswa Mengo. Mbenenge's former secretary, Zinhle Nqkayi, on Wednesday continued her evidence at the Judicial Conduct Tribunal, which is investigating complaints lodged by Mengo against Mbenenge. Zinhle Nqkayi, the former secretary of Judge President Mbenenge, gives evidence at the Judicial Conduct Tribunal. Picture: RSAJudiciary/X The judge has claimed that the sexual interactions between him and Mengo were consensual, while the latter alleges sexual harassment. CONTINUE READING: Mbenenge commented on everyone's outfits, not just Mengo's, says former secretary Pretoria Girls High principal found guilty of misconduct After the collapse of racism allegations against Pretoria High School for Girls principal Phillipa Erasmus, she has been found guilty of allowing her husband to work for free to maintain the school's gardens. Erasmus was charged by the Gauteng department of education with three counts of misconduct, including allegations of racism levelled against her and others at the school earlier this year. Picture: iStock That charge – of failing to enforce the school's disciplinary code – was dismissed by the presiding officer at a disciplinary hearing, identified only as Mr V Phephenyani. CONTINUE READING: Pretoria Girls High principal found guilty of misconduct Joburg's water woes continue with some reservoirs at critical levels Residents across Johannesburg are monitoring their taps with anxiety after several planned and unplanned outages. Several reservoirs were at critical levels on Wednesday and many suburbs have reported little to no pressure in their areas. Image for illustrative purposes. Picture: iStock Three unplanned outages across the northern suburbs are unrelated to the shortages caused by the Eikenhof and Zwartkoppies system maintenance, spreading the water woes wider. CONTINUE READING: Joburg's water woes continue with some reservoirs at critical levels Kaizer Chiefs set to announce more signings Kaizer Chiefs announced that more new signings will be unveiled after the first three signings were confirmed. On Tuesday, Amakhosi announced the signings of left-back Nkanyiso Shinga, midfielder Ethan Chislett, and striker Flavio Silva. Kaizer chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi with sporting director Kaizer Motaung Junior. Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix But Orlando Pirates' former duo, Paseko Mako and Thabiso Monyane, are also set to be unveiled by Chiefs. CONTINUE READING: Vultures lead rangers to one of SANParks' largest poisoning events Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Fuel price hike | Mengo's texts to Mbenenge questioned | DA lays charges against Nkabane
IOL News
02-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
US demands on exemption from South Africa's BEE requirements yet to be discussed with Ramaphosa
The Freedom Front Plus delegation in Washington last week. Image: Facebook/FFPlus FF Plus leader Corné Mulder says he has yet to brief President Cyril Ramaphosa on claims that the Trump administration has demanded that US entities be exempted from all Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) requirements as a precondition for normalising bilateral relations with South Africa. There are more than 600 US companies based in South Africa. Mulder made the claims as a FF Plus delegation returned from the US where they met with senior White House officials. This demand is part of a broader set of conditions that include addressing farm attacks, condemning the "Kill the Boer" chant, and ensuring fair market compensation for land expropriation. According to Mulder, the White House officials expressed concern that these conditions have not been adequately addressed. In May President Cyril Ramaphosa and his delegation embarked on a working visit to the US to meet with US president Donald Trump to help reset strained relations between the two countries and secure a favorable trade deal after a fallout over the International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against Israel that had been instituted by South Africa. Mulder, who held a press briefing on Wednesday, said the delegation is committed to normalising relations between South Africa and the US and described Ramaphosa's visit with Trump in May as 'premature'. "We have a clear understanding of the US Administration's expectations," Mulder said. "The delegation has undertaken to communicate these pre-conditions to both the South African government and the broader public in the interest of transparency, accountability, and the restoration of strong bilateral ties,' said Mulder. Mulder added that they had not gone to the US to complain. He said that discussions on claimed genocide did not arise and they did not meet with the 50 white Afrikaners that were granted refugee status by the Trump administration. Southern African Agri Initiative chairman Theo de Jager, and National Employers' Association CEO Gerhard Papenfus were part of the delegation. According to business group Sakeliga's CEO Piet le Roux, this development marks a substantial escalation in international pressure against South Africa's 'race-restrictive economic policies'. "The international backlash against BEE and other race-restrictive policies of the South African government is set to escalate further in the coming months and years," Le Roux said. Le Roux noted that the US demand elevates race-restrictive legislation beyond domestic affairs to the level of international economic and diplomatic relations This could lead to a ratcheting up of US-led bilateral or multilateral pressure opposing restrictive legislation in South Africa. Speaking on BEE, De Jager said there was only one way to avoid economic migrants and that was by improving their livelihoods. "The principle here is that there must be equal citizenship…there must be respective property rights and there must be an environment where we can also do business. 'They (Trump administration) said to us that they had heard us on the BEE matter, that it is a non-trade tariff barrier and they said that they would not restore any trade relationship if these preconditions are not adhered to. 'The biggest war of our generation is poverty and hunger and the only way we can deal with that is to create wealth…So we are gradually losing investment because of the likes of BEE and the threat to expropriate your property without compensation. You cannot invest in a country where you are not safe. 'We need an environment that will safeguard investment whether you are black or white. As Afrikaners we don't have access to production financing anymore. We need that kind of access,' said de Jager. Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) spokesperson Chrispin Phiri told IOL that the group was pursuing its "own agenda". "Our experience is that State actors do not use non-state actors as intermediaries; therefore, Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) visit and subsequent pronouncements will be viewed as nothing more than their ambitions," he said. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya did not respond to questions on how the South African government would react to the US demands. However, Ramaphosa has previously indicated that he would not back down from implementing BEE policies. "BEE is not holding back the economy, but rather the concentrated nature of our economy is," Ramaphosa said. He defended using racial designations as a means to address economic disparities, although he acknowledged that this might not be necessary in the future.
The Citizen
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
FF Plus claims White House officials want ANC to publicly denounce ‘Kill the Boer' chant
The FF Plus met officials in the US and claimed Ramaphosa's meeting with Trump was a failure. US President Donald Trump meets with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on 21 May 2025 amid tensions over Washington's resettlement of white Afrikaners that the US president claims are the victims of 'genocide'. Photo: AFP Freedom Front (FF) Plus leader Corne Mulder says President Cyril Ramaphosa and his team were unable to reset relations with the United States (US) government. Ramaphosa met US President Donald Trump in May, accompanied by businessman Johann Rupert, some Cabinet ministers and South African golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. However, Mulder told reporters at the OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday that Ramaphosa's meeting with Trump was a failure. He had just returned from a trip to the US, where he met with US government officials and businesspeople. 'We all took notice of the events in the Oval Office, and we saw that it did not look like a success. Our delegation came back to South Africa and said everything went well, the problem is that no one we met, including the appointments, told us that the meeting was a success. 'On the contrary, they are concerned about what happened and they desperately want to reset relations between South Africa and the US, but there are certain problems that need to be solved,' he said. Four conditions given to FF Plus Mulder said he was told that there are four conditions that must be met for South Africa's relationship with the US to be reset. The four conditions are: To classify farm attacks and crime in rural areas as priority crimes; The ANC should publicly denounce the 'Kill the Boer' chant; Government must ensure that land expropriation happens with fair market compensation; and American companies and organisations must be exempt from race-based policies, such as BEE. 'Anyone who thinks that these conditions are a figment of our imagination or that we went and stood outside the White House, no you do that at your own peril. It should be noted that these things are set as preconditions for the normalisation of the relationship between South Africa and the US, the country's second largest trading partner,' he said. Who did the FF Plus meet at the White House? Mulder said his delegation had not gone to Washington to 'complain'. 'We met with people from the office of the Vice President; we met people in charge of the National Security Council as well as the Homeland Security Council. 'The current situation is that the current administration has reached out by name to the Afrikaner people, we would be foolish not to act on that,' he said. Mulder also said he did not view Trump's involvement with South Africa's policies as 'interference'. 'I do not think the US is interfering with South Africa. If South Africa prefers the US to have nothing to do with South Africa, we should just ignore these four preconditions and it will happen automatically,' he said. He said he would brief Ramaphosa about his party's trip to the US. The Citizen also understands that the FF Plus had a meeting at the US consulate in Sandton after their media briefing at OR Tambo. Presidency dismisses 'personal ambitions' of FF Plus Meanwhile, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told The Citizen on Wednesday that the FF Plus had gone to the US as non-state actors. 'Our experience is that state actors do not use non-state actors as intermediaries; therefore, the FF Plus visit and subsequent pronouncements will be viewed as nothing more than their personal ambitions,' he said. Political analyst Ntsikeleo Breakfast told The Citizen that he believes that FF Plus did not go to Washington DC with good intentions. 'I do not believe what they are saying, that the relationship has not been fixed. From my understanding, that issue was fixed,' he said. More strain in the GNU? Breakfast said the FF Plus visit to the US further complicates matters for Ramaphosa, who just fired a DA minister for going to the US without permission. The FF Plus is a partner in the government of national unity (GNU). 'This complicates matters for the GNU. These political parties, they need to work together as a united force and as a team of the GNU. You can't want to be a member of the GNU and still take a step back and draw swords with another member,' he said. The Citizen had reached out to both the DA and the ANC, the two biggest partners in the GNU, about claims made by the FF Plus. Their comments will be added once they are received. NOW READ: Ramaphosa acted 'justifiably' in removing Whitfield, says SACP
