Latest news with #Parly
Eyewitness News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Lesufi willing to cooperate with inquiry probing alleged political interference with police investigations
JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said that he was willing to cooperate with the commission of inquiry established to probe the alleged political interference with police investigations. President Cyril Ramaphosa established the commission following allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that the independence of the police was being undermined. Mkhwanazi claimed there was a drug syndicate operating in Gauteng, with links to metro police in municipalities, prosecutors and politicians. ALSO READ: • Ramaphosa says firing Mchunu based on untested allegations would be unfair, 'create a dangerous precedent' • ANC shuts down calls for arrests of govt officials, top cops implicated by Mkhwanazi • Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya asked to take a leave of absence • Ntshavheni assures Parly that intelligence structures will submit themselves to Madlanga Commission • Ramaphosa puts Mchunu on leave of absence, inquiry to probe Mkhwanazi's allegations • Mkhwanazi alleges political involvement in cases being investigated by the police The commission of inquiry established by the president will probe the role of senior officials in some institutions who may have aided or abetted the alleged infiltration of law enforcement agencies. The three metro police departments in the province are also in the spotlight, as alleged crime kingpin, Vusimuzi Matlala, is linked to some of them. Last year, EWN reported that Matlala's wife had found herself in hot water after transporting their children to school in cars fitted with blue lights received from the EMPD. Lesufi said if required, he would avail himself to ensure the commission left no stone unturned. "We want to ensure the commission achieves its objective of getting the evidence needed but also getting the information that will respond to what South Africans have been asking, whether these allegations are true. We are convinced that as a province, we will be ready to cooperate and provide valuable information to the commission." He said that the province had begun preparing for its appearance at the commission.
Eyewitness News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Parly's justice and police committees call for ad hoc committee to probe allegations of corruption and interference in SAPS, judiciary
CAPE TOWN - Parliament's justice and police committees have called for an ad hoc committee to be established to investigate allegations of corruption and interference in the police and judiciary. They also want the ad hoc committee to exercise oversight over the Madlanga commission of inquiry established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to keep tabs on its proceedings and monitor deadlines. Members of the two committees met on Wednesday to discuss the best way forward in probing the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. ALSO READ: • Ramaphosa says firing Mchunu based on untested allegations would be unfair, 'create a dangerous precedent' • ANC shuts down calls for arrests of govt officials, top cops implicated by Mkhwanazi • Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya asked to take a leave of absence • Ntshavheni assures Parly that intelligence structures will submit themselves to Madlanga Commission • Ramaphosa puts Mchunu on leave of absence, inquiry to probe Mkhwanazi's allegations • Mkhwanazi alleges political involvement in cases being investigated by the police The justice and police committees received a legal opinion on the best way forward in scrutinising the damning allegations of a corrupted criminal justice system. Parliament's legal advisors gave members options that include a fully-fledged inquiry, an ad hoc committee, or a normal joint committee. African National Congress (ANC) MP Oscar Mathafa put forward his party's position, which most parties agreed to. "An ad hoc committee should be what we are proposing of the three that were presented by the legal unit." He also proposed that the ad committee monitor the judicial commission of inquiry set up by the president. "We infuse in the terms of reference the oversight over the judicial commission, the president states that the third month and six months interim reports must be produced and submitted." The committees will now send its recommendations to the National Assembly for adoption on Wednesday next week.
Eyewitness News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Despite troop withdrawal in DRC, situation 'remains fluid'
CAPE TOWN - Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa said that the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains fluid despite the phased withdrawal of troops from the region. Three convoys of soldiers and equipment have now left the country and have arrived at a transition camp in Tanzania. The defence force on Friday briefed Parliament's joint standing committee on defence on how it plans to bring back the troops and equipment deployed in the area since December 2023. ALSO READ: Motshekga a no-show in Parly to brief defence committee on DRC troops withdrawal The Southern African Development Community (SADC) took the decision in March to end the joint operation that also includes forces from Malawi and Tanzania. Holomisa said that despite the withdrawal operation being in full force, this was still an active deployment. Fourteen soldiers died in the crossfire between M23 and DRC forces in January. "Our forces are still operational in the DRC under MONUSCO (the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) framework, and the situation on the ground remains fluid." Holomisa said that the defence force remains committed to accountability and the prudent use of public finances related to the mission, which has so far cost the taxpayer R1.6 billion. "We are acutely aware of challenges the department has faced in the past, especially in relation to logistical delays in troop deployments to the DRC. This must not be allowed to repeat themselves." The SANDF said it intended to repatriate its forces from the assembly point in Tanzania by air. Some cargo will also be airlifted to bases in Bloemfontein and Pretoria, while larger equipment will travel by sea from Dar-es-Salaam to Durban and returned to bases by rail.
Eyewitness News
24-04-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Political parties claim withdrawal of VAT hike not due to DA, EFF court challenge
JOHANNESBURG - Political parties within and outside the Government of National Unity (GNU) claim the withdrawal of the value-added tax (VAT) increase had nothing to do with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)'s court challenge. Despite being a GNU partner, the DA took its bid to reject the 0.5 percentage point VAT hike to the Western Cape High Court, but a judgment hasn't been handed down yet. ALSO READ: - GNU to shift focus to conducting expenditure reviews on Godongwana's budget - VAT fight not over, says DA's Zille - Godongwana's intention to withdraw budget bills throws Parly programme into disarray The DA has claimed victory for the reversal of the VAT increase on Thursday morning, saying its legal challenge put pressure on National Treasury to find alternatives to the VAT hike. During a multi-party media briefing in Sandton on Thursday, GNU partners and opposition parties accused the DA of acting in bad faith during negotiations on the budget impasse. The political maturity of the DA has come under question, with RISE Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi slamming it for how it went about rejecting the contentious VAT increase. "There are going to be difficult days ahead, but I think it's quite clear who's got the maturity to be in the room when tough decisions have to be made and who's not." African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the withdrawal of the VAT hike was a result of the inter-party talks. "This is a process that required conversations among us, and I wish to state that the ANC and all these political parties agreed to pursue alternatives of funding the budget." Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy leader Kenny Kunene said the DA was not the messiah it so dearly claimed to be. "A party of extortionists has failed to serve South Africans on an important matter of national interest. So, South Africans, don't be misled." Government will now begin the process of reviewing government expenditure to address the projected revenue shortfall.
