Latest news with #LandExpropriationAct
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
SA tourism industry pushes back on safety amidst crime narrative from Trump admin
President Cyril Ramaphosa meeting US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington D.C. for a working visit provided an opportunity for the two leaders to deliberate on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest, including trade and investment. Image: GCIS The South African tourism industry has come into defense of the country's safety and hospitality levels amidst an ongoing narrative about crime in Africa's most-developed economy. This comes as a group of 59 Afrikaners recently migrated to the United States after taking up the offer of a refugee status as the US government falsely believes there is an ongoing 'genocide' against them in South Africa. Recent headlines sparked by a widely publicised exchange between US President Donald Trump and President Cyril Ramaphosa have reignited international focus on crime in South Africa. During the meeting, Trump repeatedly claimed that genocide against white farmers is taking place in South Africa, an allegation denied by Ramaphosa. 'We have many people that feel they're being persecuted, and they're coming to the United States,' said Trump. 'People are fleeing South Africa for their own safety. Their land is being confiscated, and in many cases, they're being killed.' The latest crime statistics in South Africa show that nearly 10 000 people were murdered between October and December 2024. Of these, a dozen were killed in farm attacks and of the 12, one was a farmer, while five were farm dwellers and four were employees, who are likely to have been black. The Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (Satsa) on Thursday said much of the coverage of these issues has leaned toward sensationalism, lacking the nuance needed to understand the real experience of travellers to the country. Satsa CEO David Frost said while crime was a concern and continued to be addressed by government and civil society, incidents involving international visitors remained extremely rare. 'South Africa isn't perfect. Like every country, we face challenges. But what we don't have is a crisis that justifies global panic or distorted narratives,' Frost said. 'What we do have is millions of tourists arriving safely every year, and leaving with stories that have nothing to do with fear and everything to do with awe. 'We don't pretend crime doesn't exist. But context matters. The suggestion that tourists are at significant risk is dangerous misinformation that serves political agendas rather than public interest.' South Africa has been in the crosshairs with the Trump administration since it passed the Land Expropriation Act, while issues of undermining the US foreign policy have been resurfaced by the country taking Israel to the International Court of Justice over the genocide in Palestine. Ramaphosa did acknowledge that there was "criminality in our country... people who do get killed through criminal activity are not only white people, the majority of them are black people". He said that he hoped Trump would listen to the voices of South Africans on this issue of the perceived genocide against white Afrikaners. Ramaphosa pointed out the white members of his delegation, including retired golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, and South Africa's richest man, Johann Rupert.
eNCA
21-05-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
SA delegation remains calm in 'genocide ambush' by Trump
JOHANNESBURG - US President Donald Trump presented what he believed was 'proof' of a genocide in South Africa. These included videos and printed articles that were presented to the South African delegation in Washington on Wednesday. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and members present stood firm, denying all claims that South Africans were targets of a genocide. Trump says that he stands against all genocide around the world; however, when Afrikaners seek refuge, he is concerned. Fringe groups in South Africa, like Afriforum, have long alleged that white farmers were being targeted and killed. They have also alleged that laws like the Land Expropriation Act and the BELA Act are laws directed at destroying them. The South African government has denied these allegations, saying there is no evidence. Afriforum has, after Trump met with the South African delegation, denied that they supplied footage of the documentary played during the meeting. Afriforum's Kallie Kriel said they can neither confirm nor deny that they compiled the particular documentary shown during the meeting. South African businessman Johann Rupert says that crime affects everyone. With crime being rampant in the Cape Flats in the Western Cape. Golfing legend Ernie Els says what South Africa needs is investment to deal with the country's social ills. The US administration gave 50 Afrikaners refugee status. The group accepted Trump's invitation after he signed an executive order offering Afrikaners asylum in the country.
IOL News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Cabinet confronts 'misinformation': minister reveals AfriForum conceded on farm murder statistics
Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has briefed the media on a number of decisions and issues discussed by Parliament during a briefing in Pretoria on Thursday. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has briefed the media on a variety of post-Cabinet decisions taken by members of Parliament following a Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday. These include the withdrawal of funding by the US, cannabis, foot-and-mouth disease, crime prevention, employment statistics, the misinformation campaigns by AfriForum and other right-wing organisations, as well as the country's state of readiness to host the G20 Summit and registration of spaza shops, among many other issues. On the misinformation campaign led by Solidarity, AfriForum and other right-wing forces, including the dispute in the farm murder statistics and Land Expropriation Act, the minister indicated that the government has been in talks with some of the right-wing forces while investigation into their behaviour is being handled by law enforcement agencies. Last month, Afrikaner rights organisations Solidarity and AfriForum met with top representatives of US President Donald Trump's administration to thank the new leader for his support for on the Land Expropriation Bill after they went to the White House to deliver a "Washington Memorandum", asking that the US to provide humanitarian assistance for an Afrikaner development. "On the misinformation and disinformation campaigns, Cabinet has noted with concern, the continued misinformation campaigns by Solidarity, AfriForum and their allies and law enforcement agencies are investigating the violations of South African laws. "To prevent further misinformation, the South African Police Service met with AfriForum to clarify the allegations of white genocide with reference to farm murders. At the meeting, AfriForum conceded that the current statistics as released by the Minister of Police are accurate, including on farm murders," she said. Ntshavheni indicated that the government is committed to creating an enabling job creation environment to improve the country's unemployment rate, which showed a bit of improvement in some sectors of the economy, saying: "The recent statistics have shown employment gains in the trade, business services, transport sector, and the electricity sector. "Despite the modest improvement, employment remains lower than a year ago. Cabinet has committed to drive structural reforms and implement economic growth-focused programmes in order to create a conducive environment for job creation." With the deadline for the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) card migration having been extended to the end of April, the minister said the Cabinet was satisfied with the migration process, adding that the extension of the deadline will ensure no one is left behind in the process. The minister indicated that while more than a million SASSA beneficiaries have swapped their gold Postbank SASSA grant cards for new black ones, more than 800 000 have yet to do so. "The registration is completed. The deadline for SASSA beneficiaries to swap their old cards has been extended to allow SASSA to complete the migration process and we are confident they will be able to complete the process before then. SASSA has assured the SA Reserve Bank that those who haven't made the switch will do so by the end of April," she added. On the country's state of readiness for the G20 Summit, the minister said most of the country's World Heritage Sites are ready to host international visitors later this year. "The G20 Financial Sector Group met on 20th March to deliberate on Africa's debt crisis. Cabinet received an assessment on the status and preservation of South Africa's World Heritage Sites in line with the G20 minimum standards for preparation and hosting of the G20 Summit. Cabinet noted that seven out of the 12 South Africa's World Heritage Sites are ready to host the G20 guests, but some refurbishments are required to enhance visitor experience," she said. [email protected]
Zawya
09-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa Budget 2025: Pushback over Fikile's D-Day announcement
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has yet to disclose the end date of its court challenge against the proposed national budget, leaving uncertainty over whether the Government of National Unity (GNU) will resolve the budget deadlock within the ANC's five-day timeline. "The ANC has resolved that we will reset the button to engage with all political parties within the GNU as well as those not in the GNU to address the impasse with regards to the Budget. We intend to do that within five days to conclude the negotiations of the Budget," ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula said. He was speaking at a media briefing at Luthuli House in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 8 April 2025. At the heart of the impasse is not only the DA's opposition to the proposed 0.5% VAT increase for 2025/2026— which it argues will burden the poor — but deep ideological rifts over key transformation policies. Coalition tensions escalate ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has accused the DA of using the VAT issue as a lever to push back against the Expropriation Act, National Health Insurance (NHI), and Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act — legislation the DA allegedly seeks to dismantle from within the coalition. "We are now deeply concerned with the DA, whose participation is marred by government deal-making, negotiations, and disdain at transformation. What the GNU cabinet adopted: the NHI, BELA Act and Land Expropriation Act, the DA seeks to undo. It undermines the essence of collective government. The ANC is clear, the Expropriation Bill, the BELA Act, and the NHI are here to stay," Fikile said. Fikile stressed that the ANC never agreed to review or halt already-passed National Assembly bills. "The President has signed bills that have been duly passed by the National Assembly and the Council of Provinces — they remain before him — and he sends those that are unconstitutional back to Parliament. Nothing is unconstitutional about the NHI, the BELA Act and the Land Expropriation Act. And that's it." Call for co-governance The DA insists voters rejected single-party rule at the 2024 elections; and said current policy must reflect shared power. "South Africa needs an era of co-governance, built on the implementation of bold, pro-growth reforms that create jobs and restores fiscal stability," it said on X. "That is why the DA signed the Statement of Intent and entered the GNU — we wanted shared governance that prioritises delivery and economic recovery over political convenience." The DA said it has proposed practical solutions for growth, jobs, and fiscal stability, ready for implementation. "We look forward to discussing a clear reform agenda for growth and jobs with the ANC," it said. But while the GNU debates SA's fiscal consolidation, the budget delay also reflects South Africa's efforts to navigate complex international relationships. A funding shortfall, exacerbated by the end of US aid, places additional pressure on the government to secure alternative financial sources. In February 2025, about 40 USAID-funded health projects in South Africa received termination letters, leading to the cessation of services provided by approximately 8,493 PEPFAR-funded staff involved in HIV response activities. The proposed VAT increase, which is expected to generate an additional R28bn in 2025/26, is aimed at addressing a R60bn deficit partly due to the cessation of this funding. Investor concerns and a falling rand continue to reflect uncertainty over the coalition's future. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Russia Today
14-03-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
South Africa's unity government divided over budget
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has firmly rejected the ANC's claims that it is using the budget discussions to renegotiate its position within the Government of National Unity (GNU). This comes after the African National Congress (ANC) accused the DA of attempting to leverage the budget process to reverse transformative laws such as the Land Expropriation Act and the National Health Insurance Act. In a response to these allegations, DA finance spokesperson Dr Mark Burke, speaking to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, argued that the ANC's economic policies have failed, leading to stagnating growth, high unemployment, and poor fiscal management. Burke critiqued the ANC's handling of the economy, stating, 'The ANC has imposed its failed ideology and policies on South Africa for at least the last 15 years, leading to unemployment above 30%.' He further clarified that the DA is advocating for economic policies that could stimulate growth, such as the devolution and privatisation of ports like Cape Town and Richards Bay to address the economic bottlenecks that hamper business development. When questioned about the ANC's assertion that the DA's approach was akin to blackmail, Burke responded, 'The ANC clearly doesn't understand how economics 101 work,' emphasising the importance of creating a business-friendly environment to attract investment and secure private property rights. Burke also addressed criticisms regarding the VAT increase in the proposed budget, asserting that the ANC's approach to increasing taxes is a sign of their failure to address the core issue—excessive government spending. 'South Africa doesn't have a revenue problem; it has an expenditure problem,' Burke said, highlighting that the country's fiscal situation has worsened under ANC policies. In contrast, the ANC's secretary general, Fikile Mbalula, responded by accusing the DA of opposing the budget to protect 'white monopoly capital' and derail the country's transformation agenda. 'Their opposition is not based on fiscal responsibility, but a desperate attempt to undermine transformation,' Mbalula said. Despite the deep divides, Burke suggested that there is potential for cooperation between the parties, emphasising the DA's willingness to work within the GNU if it leads to effective governance and economic growth. He said, 'The DA remains committed to the GNU, but they cannot keep behaving like they are a majority party when in fact they control 39 percent of the votes in parliament.'First published by IOL
