Latest news with #Parly
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.
