Latest news with #FreeSA
IOL News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Public tired of costly inquiries, says Free SA
The pointed campaign follows President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement of a fresh commission of inquiry into allegations of corruption involving Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Ironically, Free SA had itself called for such an inquiry — but now says its own members, and a recent survey, reveal a deep crisis of confidence in both the police and the state's use of inquiries to tackle wrongdoing. CIVIL society group Free SA has launched a sharp new public campaign challenging South Africans to ask a question that many have been whispering for years: Do we still trust commissions of inquiry? According to Free SA, only 22% of South Africans trust the South African Police Service. The organisation says this reflects a wider breakdown in faith across the justice system, and commissions of inquiry, once seen as vital democratic tools, are increasingly viewed as costly exercises that yield little real accountability. 'Our members feel strongly that commissions of inquiry have become elaborate theatre — lavishly funded performances with no closing act,' said Free SA spokesperson Reuben Coetzer. 'South Africans are weary of watching inquiry after inquiry, only to see the implicated promoted, protected, or quietly forgotten.' While acknowledging that commissions of inquiry are constitutionally legitimate, Free SA argues that they have become political shields rather than genuine instruments of justice. South Africa's recent history offers ample evidence to fuel this scepticism. The Zondo Commission into State Capture, which cost taxpayers over R1 billion, exposed shocking corruption but has resulted in few high-level prosecutions. The Marikana Commission, set up after police killed 34 striking miners in 2012, produced a report but brought little real accountability for those who gave the orders. 'The credibility crisis is not just about one minister or one commission,' Coetzer said. 'It's about the erosion of democratic trust. We don't need more commissions, we need action. We need prosecutions, resignations, recoveries of stolen funds, and above all, leadership that respects the intelligence of its people.'
Eyewitness News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Free SA adds to calls for independent judicial commission of inquiry after Mkhwanazi claims
JOHANNESBURG - Lobby group Free SA has added to growing calls for an independent judicial commission of inquiry following explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. It's been almost a week since Mkhwanazi implicated Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu and other senior political leaders of deliberately sabotaging investigations into politically motivated murders. ALSO READ: - National SAPS reveals Mkhwanazi receiving threats since bombshell media briefing - Top cop Masemola says Mkhwanazi's damning allegations have eroded public trust - Mchunu admits knowing Brown Mogotsi after denying in Parliament In a shocking exposé, Mkhwanazi revealed evidence of a systematic cover-up involving the disappearance of more than 100 case dockets, the disbanding of a specialist task team and potential corruption tied to a R360 million police tender. Free SA said these revelations suggest a deep-rooted erosion of the rule of law, one that demands immediate, transparent, and impartial scrutiny. The organisation said leaving the allegations untested for too long will have damaging effects. Spokesperson Reuben Coetzee said Free SA believes at least six urgent actions are needed. 'Firstly, the immediate appointment of an independent judicial commission of inquiry within 30 days, special leave for Minister Mchunu and all implicated officials for the duration of the inquiry, legal protection for Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi and any whistleblowers, full public access to relevant case dockets, communication logs, and tender records, parliamentary oversight hearings to guarantee transparency and strengthening of whistleblower protection legislation to ensure future accountability.' He said the matter will be a true test for the country's institutions and democracy.
IOL News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Free SA demands judicial inquiry into alleged political interference in assassination investigations
Free SA has called for an urgent establishment of an independent judicial commission of inquiry following explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. These claims implicate senior political leaders, including the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, in deliberately sabotaging investigations into politically motivated murders. Mkhwanazi revealed evidence of a systematic cover-up involving the disappearance of more than 100 case dockets, the disbanding of a specialist task team, and potential corruption tied to a R360 million police tender. These revelations suggest a deep-rooted erosion of the rule of law, one that demands immediate, transparent, and impartial scrutiny. 'South Africans deserve to know that no one is above the law. When those entrusted with safeguarding justice are accused of subverting it, silence is not an option. A full judicial inquiry, led by an independent judge, is the only appropriate response' said Reuben Coetzer, spokesperson for Free SA. Free SA is calling for the following urgent actions: The immediate appointment of an independent judicial commission of inquiry within 30 days. Special leave for Minister Mchunu and all implicated officials for the duration of the inquiry. Legal protection for Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi and any whistleblowers. Full public access to relevant case dockets, communication logs, and tender records. Parliamentary oversight hearings to guarantee transparency. Strengthening of whistleblower protection legislation to ensure future accountability. 'This is not only about political killings, it is about whether our democracy will survive the rot of corruption and fear. Commissioner Mkhwanazi has shown courage. Now it's time for our institutions to do the same,' Coetzer added.. Free SA has opened an online petition and calls for broad participation from all South Africans.
Zawya
03-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Opposition mounts to Malema's proposed Sarb takeover
"An independent central bank is a cornerstone of any credible economic system," warns Free SA, as it raises alarm over a proposed bill to nationalise the South African Reserve Bank. The organisation has submitted a formal objection to Parliament, arguing that the SARB Amendment Bill [B 26—2018] threatens to destabilise South Africa's economy by eroding the institutional independence that underpins monetary stability and investor confidence. Introduced by MP Julius Malema, the Bill proposes making the state the sole shareholder of the Sarb and transferring key governance powers—such as the appointment of directors and auditors—to the Minister of Finance. The Bill seeks to also amend the SARB Act by removing certain definitions and granting the Minister of Finance the power to appoint specific board directors. Both current SARB directors and the public may nominate candidates for these appointments, which are fixed for three-year terms. Additionally, the Minister will appoint two auditing firms annually to audit the Reserve Bank's financial statements, centralising governance and oversight powers within the executive branch. Fiscal control risks 'Handing full control of the Sarb to political authorities opens the door to fiscal dominance, inflationary pressure, and potentially disastrous economic mismanagement,' flags Reuben Coetzer, spokesperson for Free SA. In its submission, Free SA outlines a series of legal, economic, and reputational risks associated with centralising the Reserve Bank's governance in the executive branch. Drawing on cautionary examples from countries like Zimbabwe and Venezuela, the organisation highlights how diminished central bank autonomy has previously led to hyperinflation, currency collapse, and widespread poverty. Among the key dangers flagged in the submission are: Inflation risk: A politically controlled Sarb may be pressured to finance government deficits, weakening the rand and pushing inflation higher. Governance concerns: Transferring shareholder powers to a single political office removes external oversight, increasing the likelihood of politicised appointments. Legal ambiguity: Although technically within constitutional bounds, the Bill may violate the spirit of Section 224, which mandates independence 'without fear, favour or prejudice". Investor flight: The perception of weakened monetary policy independence could drive capital outflows and raise borrowing costs. Challenging private power But Malema asserts that nationalising the South African Reserve Bank will effectively facilitate financial inclusion. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), he said, views the Sarb as a crucial instrument for socio-economic transformation. It argues that the bank should not remain in the hands of private individuals and institutions but should serve the broader public interest. As far back as 2018, Malema highlighted that six of the largest banks control 90% of all banking facilities in South Africa and are predominantly owned by white minorities, who often apply exclusionary criteria. He believes that nationalising the Sarb would address these disparities and make the institution more reflective of South Africa's demographics. In parallel, Malema and the EFF have also backed the Banks Amendment Bill, which seeks to amend the Banks Act to allow state-owned companies—such as Postbank—to register and operate as banks. (While Postbank now exists as a state-owned commercial banking entity in legal structure, it has not yet submitted its licence application to the Prudential Authority and therefore is not operating as a fully licensed bank.) The Banks Amendment Bill would introduce legislative changes to enable Postbank to operate as a fully licensed, State-owned commercial bank by addressing key legal limitations in the Banks Act (No. 94 of 1990). Malema and the EFF argue that this intervention would enable the State to provide essential financial services and expand access to credit, particularly for underserved communities. It is within this ideological framework and long-standing push for financial reform that the EFF has persistently pursued the legislative process required to bring the SARB Amendment Bill to Parliament. Nationalisation in motion The Bill was initially introduced to Parliament in August 2018 but lapsed in May 2019 with the dissolution of the sixth Parliament. It was subsequently revived in October of the same year. In 2020, the EFF and Parliamentary Legal Services briefed the Standing Committee on Finance on the Bill, following an initial round of public hearings held in November 2018. Despite this early engagement, the Bill once again lapsed in May 2024, before being revived for a second time in July 2024. After the EFF called for the Bill to be prioritised in the new parliamentary administration, the Standing Committee on Finance resolved in September 2024 to conduct a second round of public hearings. This decision followed a briefing by the Parliamentary Budget Office, which presented its analysis of the Bill's potential socio-economic impact. With limited progress in processing the Bill, EFF MP Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi raised the matter with the National Assembly Programme Committee in late March 2025 and was assured that a response would be provided at the following meeting. Despite the Bill's steady advancement through parliamentary channels, Coetzer remains resolute in his opposition, warning that the cost of nationalisation may far outweigh its symbolic value: 'Symbolic ownership should not come at the cost of real economic harm. The Sarb is one of South Africa's most respected institutions. Undermining its independence, whether deliberately or by accident, will hurt ordinary South Africans most—especially the poor, who suffer first and worst from inflation.' - The public consultation process, wherein which individuals and stakeholders were invited to submit comments on the Bill by Monday, 30 June 2025, has now concluded.
The Citizen
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
What do you think of Malema's Bill to nationalise the Reserve Bank?
If the South African Reserve Bank Amendment Bill is passed in parliament, there will be no more checks and balances. Parliament wants to know what you think of Julius Malema's Bill aimed at nationalising the South African Reserve Bank. Malema tabled the South African Reserve Bank Amendment Bill in parliament in 2018 and published for comment at the end of May 2018. However, it lapsed at the end of the fifth parliament, but the National Assembly revived it in October 2019. According to Cabinet, the Bill also lapsed at the end of the sixth parliament but was revived by the National Assembly in July 2024. In September last year, the standing committee on finance resolved to open the Bill to another round of public comment. The South African Reserve Bank Amendment Bill seeks to establish the state as the sole shareholder of the Reserve Bank's shares, while the minister of finance will exercise the rights attached to the shares in the bank the state owns. ALSO READ: The ANC's war about nationalising the Reserve Bank is pointless Aims of the South African Reserve Bank Amendment Bill The South African Reserve Bank Amendment Bill also aims to amend the South African Reserve Bank Act to: delete certain definitions; insert a definition; provide for the minister to appoint certain board directors; provide for the tenure of appointed directors; deal with the filling of casual vacancies for appointed directors; repeal certain sections of the Act; give the minister the power to appoint auditors of the Reserve Bank; give the minister the power to make regulations regarding the appointment of appointed directors; and provide for related matters. ALSO READ: Why the Reserve Bank should not be nationalised Free SA already had its say The organisation Free SA already made a formal submission to parliament, expressing its strong opposition to the South African Reserve Bank Amendment Bill, warning that the proposed nationalisation of the central bank threatens the country's economic stability, institutional independence and international credibility. While the Amendment Bill does not alter the Reserve Bank's constitutional mandate to protect the value of the rand, Free SA cautions that it will undermine the very independence that makes this mandate effective. 'An independent central bank is the cornerstone of any credible economic system. Handing full control of the Reserve Bank to political authorities opens the door to fiscal dominance, inflationary pressure and potentially disastrous economic mismanagement,' Reuben Coetzer, spokesperson of Free SA, says. He points out that Free SA's submission details the economic, legal, institutional and reputational risks of centralising the Reserve Bank's governance in the executive. Drawing on examples from Zimbabwe and Venezuela, he says the submission illustrates how loss of central bank independence historically led to hyperinflation, currency collapse and widespread poverty. ALSO READ: The slow nationalisation of the South African Reserve Bank Specific dangers in South African Reserve Bank Amendment Bill The submission highlights these specific dangers in the South African Reserve Bank Amendment Bill: Inflation risk: politicised monetary policy could lead to the Reserve Bank financing government deficits, weakening the rand and driving up inflation; Governance concerns: transferring all shareholder powers to the minister of finance eliminates external oversight and invites politicisation of appointments; Legal ambiguity: while technically constitutional, the Bill may undermine the spirit of section 224 of the Constitution, which demands independence 'without fear, favour or prejudice'; Investor flight: market confidence in South Africa's monetary policy regime could erode, resulting in capital outflows and higher borrowing costs. 'Symbolic ownership should not come at the cost of real economic harm. The Reserve Bank is one of South Africa's most respected institutions. Undermining its independence, whether deliberately or by accident, will hurt ordinary South Africans most, especially the poor who suffer first and worst from inflation.' Coetzer says Free SA calls on all members of parliament to reject the Amendment Bill and to uphold the constitutional and economic safeguards that protect South Africa's monetary integrity. 'Reform should focus on strengthening accountability and transparency within the Reserve Bank, not eroding the institutional checks that preserved macroeconomic stability through some of the country's most turbulent years.'
