Latest news with #LuthuliHouse
News24
18-05-2025
- Politics
- News24
More vigilance required after Seta debacle
On Thursday, Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane was forced to make a hasty retreat after her department loaded the appointment of Seta chairpersons with ANC loyalists, in what appeared to be a Luthuli House capture of the institutions. Nkabane was forced to backtrack and cancel the appointments of 21 chairs and members. The minister said: Following broader consultations with stakeholders in the post-school education and training sector and their counsel regarding the appointment of the chairpersons of the boards of Setas, I have decided to recalibrate the process, which was overseen by an independent panel. She has called on relevant constituencies to nominate new candidates and commit to ensuring that appointments are made in line with the Skills Development Act. 'I have taken the decision to withdraw previous appointments in response to public concerns. Further, I take this decision in the interest of good governance and transparency, to ensure accountability in the appointment process,' she said. But the truth is that she was forced to take this step after massive public pressure after even her ANC colleagues were shocked at the blatant politically partisan appointments to the institutions that help refine students with skills needed in the workplace. The initial concern from opposition parties was about Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe's son Buyambo, who was appointed as chair of the manufacturing, engineering and related services Seta. But it later transpired that more ANC heavyweights littered the appointments. They included: Former KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, appointed as chairperson of the Bank Seta; KwaZulu-Natal ANC Sport, Arts and Culture MEC Amanda Mapena, appointed as chair of the quality council for the trades an soccupation Seta; and ANC MMC in the Johannesburg council Loyiso Masuku, appointed as chair of FoodBev Manufacturing Seta. This list goes on, revealing that ANC members occupy positions in 21 Setas. All these appointments would have been approved by Nkabane. They point to a capture of these institutions to use them to benefit ANC members. This is what the ANC has got away with for years – capturing institutions to use them to fund activities such as conferences and election campaigns. When EFF MP Sihle Lonzi tried to question the director-general of the department of higher education in the National Assembly on Wednesday, he was shut down by committee chair Tebogo Letsie, and was eventually bundled out of the committee meeting by parliamentary security. This is a reminder once again that the ANC is a syndicate in which members not only engage in improper behaviour but are also able to get other members in influential positions to shield them from accountability. But, in the end, the people are the victors because the minister capitulated to public pressure. However, the whole exercise calls for South Africans to be even more vigilant in protecting our institutions.
IOL News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Alleged shooting incident fuels ANC power struggle between Mbalula and Mashatile
Deputy President Paul Mashatile confirmed that his convoy recently came under fire while returning from an ANC event. Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers The ANC is embroiled in a heated debate over the alleged shooting incident involving Deputy President Paul Mashatile. It is alleged that Mashatile's car was attacked and sprayed with bullets after a National Executive Meeting in Gauteng on 30 March, however, the alleged shooting only became public last Sunday. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has cast doubt on the claims, saying the party was not informed about the incident until it surfaced in media reports. Mbalula's comments have sparked speculation about the incident and the motivations behind the claims while an ANC insider believes the gloves were off between Mbalula and Mashatile over the succession battle of the ANC presidency. "As the ANC, we are yet to release a comprehensive response to this situation. We call it a situation because it's not clearly defined. As the ANC, we were not aware of it until the reports surfaced in the media on Sunday," Mbalula said. "First, as the ANC, we are yet to release a comprehensive response to this situation. We call it a situation because it's not clearly defined. We were not aware of it until the reports surfaced in the media on Sunday,' said Mbalula. Mbalula expressed concerns about the incident, saying that the party needs more information before making any conclusions. "We were taken aback by these reports because neither the deputy president nor anyone in government informed the ANC about this situation," he said. Mbalula said it was concerning that the party was not briefed as 'everyone else' tried to define the matter differently. "We don't know where this happened, how it happened, except from the reports, even from the deputy president himself..." Mbalula said. He said the party was leaving the matter in police hands. "We engaged the minister of police [Senzo Mchunu] immediately, who informed Luthuli House that the commissioner of police is seized with the matter. He will report on the matter both short and long term in terms of the investigation. We leave it there," Mbalula said. Insiders close to the ANC have revealed that the relationship between Mbalula and Mashatile has been strained, with some speculating that the gloves are off between the two. The alleged shooting incident has brought the tension to the fore, with Mbalula's comments appearing to be a direct challenge to Mashatile's claims. The source said this was attributed to the succession battle for the next ANC president, which is being eyed by both Mbalula and Mashatile looking to replace current president Cyril Ramaphosa as he serves his last term. ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula briefs the media. Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers Other ANC leaders, including Treasurer-General Gwen Ramokgopa and the ANC Northern Cape chairperson, have also cast doubt on the claims, labeling them as "fake news". Ramokgopa said, "Usually when there are these reports, and all that, many of them are fake, actually." However, Mashatile's spokesperson, Keith Khoza, hit back against those suggesting the incident was staged. "We are not fabricating anything," Khoza said. "It is unfortunate that people would downplay such a serious matter." Police this week confirmed a high-level investigation team has been assigned to look into the alleged shooting incident. Mashatile dismissed assertions that there was a succession battle saying the focus should be on rebuilding of the ANC and not campaigning. He said the ANC had suffered a setback since last year's elections and it was time for the party to regain people's confidence. 'Now we have got 40% in the last election. So if we focus on campaigning, the ANC won't survive. We as leaders must focus on building our branches and renewing the ANC. 'In doing so, we'll have a vibrant organisation that perhaps will nominate us when the time comes but if we don't build this organisation, there will be no way to nominate us,' Mashatile said. He however did confirm that there had been an incident saying it was under police investigation. Cape Argus
IOL News
24-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
ANC infighting heats up as Mbalula casts doubt on alleged shooting incident
Deputy President Paul Mashatile confirmed that his convoy recently came under fire while returning from an ANC event. Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers The ANC is embroiled in a heated debate over an alleged shooting incident involving Deputy President Paul Mashatile. It is alleged that Mashatile's car was attacked and sprayed with bullets after a National Executive Meeting in Gauteng on 30 March, however, the alleged shooting only became public last Sunday. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has cast doubt on the claims, saying the party was not informed about the incident until it surfaced in media reports. Mbalula's comments have sparked speculation about the incident and the motivations behind the claims while an ANC insider believes the gloves were off between Mbalula and Mashatile over the succession battle of the ANC presidency. "As the ANC, we are yet to release a comprehensive response to this situation. We call it a situation because it's not clearly defined. As the ANC, we were not aware of it until the reports surfaced in the media on Sunday," Mbalula said. "First, as the ANC, we are yet to release a comprehensive response to this situation. We call it a situation because it's not clearly defined. We were not aware of it until the reports surfaced in the media on Sunday,' said Mbalula. Mbalula expressed concerns about the incident, saying that the party needs more information before making any conclusions. "We were taken aback by these reports because neither the deputy president nor anyone in government informed the ANC about this situation," he said. Mbalula said it was concerning that the party was not briefed as 'everyone else' tried to define the matter differently. "We don't know where this happened, how it happened, except from the reports, even from the deputy president himself..." Mbalula said. He said the party was leaving the matter in police hands. "We engaged the minister of police [Senzo Mchunu] immediately, who informed Luthuli House that the commissioner of police is seized with the matter. He will report on the matter both short and long term in terms of the investigation. We leave it there," Mbalula said. Insiders close to the ANC have revealed that the relationship between Mbalula and Mashatile has been strained, with some speculating that the gloves are off between the two. The alleged shooting incident has brought the tension to the fore, with Mbalula's comments appearing to be a direct challenge to Mashatile's claims. The source said this was attributed to the succession battle for the next ANC president, which is being eyed by both Mbalula and Mashatile looking to replace current president Cyril Ramaphosa as he serves his last term. ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula briefs the media. Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers Other ANC leaders, including Treasurer-General Gwen Ramokgopa and the ANC Northern Cape chairperson, have also cast doubt on the claims, labeling them as "fake news". Ramokgopa said, "Usually when there are these reports, and all that, many of them are fake, actually." However, Mashatile's spokesperson, Keith Khoza, hit back against those suggesting the incident was staged. "We are not fabricating anything," Khoza said. "It is unfortunate that people would downplay such a serious matter." Police this week confirmed a high-level investigation team has been assigned to look into the alleged shooting incident. Mashatile dismissed assertions that there was a succession battle saying the focus should be on rebuilding of the ANC and not campaigning. He said the ANC had suffered a setback since last year's elections and it was time for the party to regain people's confidence. 'Now we have got 40% in the last election. So if we focus on campaigning, the ANC won't survive. We as leaders must focus on building our branches and renewing the ANC. 'In doing so, we'll have a vibrant organisation that perhaps will nominate us when the time comes but if we don't build this organisation, there will be no way to nominate us,' Mashatile said. He however did confirm that there had been an incident saying it was under police investigation.
