Latest news with #R700
IOL News
3 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Labour Party's legal bid to halt National Dialogue dismissed by Gauteng High Court
President Cyril Ramaphosa claims the dialogue will develop a national ethos and shared value system to unify a divided country, plagued by economic inequality, high crime, unemployment, and political instability. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers The Labour Party of South Africa has failed in its urgent legal bid for an interim interdict to halt the National Dialogue set to commence on August 15. The party turned to the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, to urgently halt the President's decision to convene a National Dialogue and two related conventions. At the heart of its objections were the costs associated with this. It argued that the National Dialogue is not a genuine democratic exercise, but a costly and dangerous duplication of the national legislature. It argued that the National Dialogue Preparatory Committee estimates that the initiative will cost over R700 million, according to an announcement dated June 12. The government, however, in its argument to court, denied this amount. According to the State respondents, a final budget will only be developed following engagements with the National Treasury and other potential partners. The Labour Party's approach to the court was motivated by constitutional concerns. It questioned what power the President has to establish a National Dialogue. It argued that if its ultimate aim is to ensure public participation, create policy and make binding decisions, this is a duplication of the functions of Parliament. It also questioned whether it would be lawful to attach a R700 million price tag for a part of this endeavour. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading They asked the court to halt the National Dialogue, pending an opportunity to later review the President's decision. Acting Judge I de Vos said the Constitution mandates the President to promote national unity and the jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court has repeatedly asserted this process is ongoing and that this duty falls to the President. 'The court is not, based on the text of the Constitution and the jurisprudence from the Constitutional Court, persuaded that the President is acting outside his powers,' she said. The judge added that the court is not persuaded that the applicant has made out a prima facie case on this basis or that it bears strong prospects of success in the review on this ground. 'The court is not empowered to determine if a National Dialogue is the best method for promoting national unity. Or if the same people that have been invited to the table to do the preparatory work are the ones the court would have chosen. Or even if it would rather spend money on a National Dialogue or on health care or some other issue.' Judge de Vos added that the goal of the National Dialogue, which consists of public participation and engagement, is to promote national unity. 'There is a rational link between the National Dialogue, particularly one premised on public participation, and the promotion of national unity,' she said. In turning down the application, she concluded that the Labour Party has failed to meet the threshold to show irrationality in the method employed in announcing the National Dialogue. 'The court is not convinced that the Labour Party has proven a prima facie right in this regard and is doubtful as to its prospects of success at the hearing of the final relief,' she said. As to the money involved, the judge said the court is not empowered to ask whether this is the best use of money. That is the domain of the executive. Cape Times
IOL News
a day ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Gauteng High Court dismisses Labour Party's bid to halt National Dialogue
The Labour Party representatives packed the Pretoria High Court earlier with its urgent application opposing next month's proposed National Dialogue. Image: Zelda Venter The Labour Party of South Africa failed in its urgent legal bid for an interim interdict to halt the National Dialogue set to commence on August 15. The party turned to the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, to urgently halt the President's decision to convene a National Dialogue and two related conventions. At the heart of its objections were the costs associated with this. It argued that the National Dialogue is not a genuine democratic exercise, but a costly and dangerous duplication of the national legislature. It argued that the National Dialogue Preparatory Committee estimates that the initiative will cost over R700 million, according to an announcement dated June 12. Government, however, in its argument to court, denied this amount. According to the State respondents, a final budget will only be developed following engagements with the National Treasury and other potential partners. The Labour Party's approach to the court was motivated by constitutional concerns. It questioned what power the President has to establish a National Dialogue. It argued that if its ultimate aim is to ensure public participation, create policy and make binding decisions, this is a duplication of the functions of Parliament. It also questioned whether it would be lawful to attach a R 700 million price tag for a part of this endeavour. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ They ask the court to halt the National Dialogue, pending an opportunity to later review the President's decision. Acting Judge I de Vos said the Constitution mandates the President to promote national unity and the jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court has repeatedly asserted this process is ongoing and that this duty falls to the President. 'The court is not, based on the text of the Constitution and the jurisprudence from the Constitutional Court, persuaded that the President is acting outside his powers,' she said. The judge added that the court is not persuaded that the applicant has made out a prima facie case on this basis or that it bears strong prospects of success in the review on this ground. 'The court is not empowered to determine if a National Dialogue is the best method for promoting national unity. Or if the same people that have been invited to the table to do the preparatory work are the ones the court would have chosen. Or even if it would rather spend money on a National Dialogue or on health care or some other issue.' Judge de Vos added that the goal of the National Dialogue, which consists of public participation and engagement, is to promote national unity. 'There is a rational link between the National Dialogue, particularly one premised on public participation, and the promotion of national unity,' she said. In turning down the application, she concluded that the Labour Party has failed to meet the threshold to show irrationality in the method employed in announcing the National Dialogue. 'The court is not convinced that the Labour Party has proven a prima facie right in this regard and is doubtful as to its prospects of success at the hearing of the final relief,' she said. As to the money involved, the judge said the court is not empowered to ask whether this is the best use of money. That is the domain of the executive.
The South African
3 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Inside the Gupta mansion sold for almost HALF the price
One of the former Gupta family's three Saxonworld mansions was sold for almost half its price at an auction this week. The property received just one bid. The estates have made headlines over the years after the City of Johannesburg revealed that it owned over R700 000 in unpaid municipal rates. As part of a business rescue plan attached to the controversial family's bankrupt Confident Concept, the properties and moveable assets were placed on public auction by the Supreme Court of Appeal According to Park Village Auctions, just one Gupta-owned property was auctioned off this week – number 3 Saxonworld Drive, at just R3.3 million. The three-bedroom staff residence received just one bidder. The 3,687m², single-storey home was initially priced at R5 million. Auctioneer Clive Lazarus said: 'The property, which was reportedly used for staff accommodation or security quarters, is in a state of disrepair'. Take a look inside… Inside number 3 Saxonworld Drive. Images via Park Village Auction Images via Park Village Auction The auction also placed numbers 5 and 7 Saxonworld Drive – part of the Gupta compound, on auction. Neither received any bids. Number 5 is a three-story, eight-bedroom, five-en-suite mansion with an indoor pool and rooftop patio. While the R21.73 million mansion remains on the market, its contents were sold for R100 000. Number 7 Saxonworld is the biggest property, boasting 17 en-suite bedrooms, a cinema, a beauty salon, and a triple-volume foyer. It is valued at R36.86 million. The contents of the hotel-esque property sold for just R60 000. According to Park Village Auctions disposal manager Graham van Niekerk, the two properties failed to sell due to several factors, such as high municipal rates, restrictive residential zoning, structural damage, and the 'stigma' associated with the Gupta name. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Fury over massive rates and taxes billing crisis in ELM
VANDERBIJLPARK – A storm is brewing in Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) as fed-up residents lashed out over massive water and electricity bills for services they say they never used. This comes after dozens of angry homeowners, especially from Vanderbijlpark, descended on ELM offices demanding answers and action. Angry residents complained about outrageous bills, with some reaching into the hundreds of thousands, and a few even exceeding R1m. Despite the municipality having launched a 50% debt relief campaign to recoup some of the outstanding water and electricity payments, residents complain about incorrect billings for water and electricity. One resident, Thuli Mkadula said, 'We wish the municipality would write off our bills. No resident will be able to pay rates and taxes of approximately R700 000. We are willing to pay the municipality as long as they bill us correctly.' Mantoa Mkomotoane said, 'I was paying R3 000 and later paid R1 000. Now I pay R600 every month, however, every month the bills go up. I don't know where the R1.7m they claim I owe the municipality comes from.' ELM spokesperson Makhosonke Sangweni disputed the claims. 'The municipality will deal with the disputes the community is bringing forward. Inconsistency in billing is not only limited to our municipality, but the entire country is going through such challenges. As a municipality, we have been working on resolving these issues; hence, we have a dispute resolution committee, and we will continue,' he said.
The South African
5 days ago
- General
- The South African
The Daily Lotto results for Friday, 25 July 2025
Get Ready for Today's Daily Lotto Draw! Could tonight be your lucky night? Good Luck! 🎉 Dreaming of a big win? The Daily Lotto jackpot is up for grabs, and it's estimated at a thrilling R700 000! The jackpot prize money is guaranteed to be given away even if no one matches all five numbers. All it takes is a ticket to turn your dreams into reality because as the saying goes, you've got to be in it to win it! 📢 Stay tuned! The winning numbers will be updated below as soon as they're drawn at or after 21:15. 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 Draw date: 27 July 2025 Did you miss a draw and wonder if you won? Click here to view past Daily Lotto results and payouts. The Daily Lotto draws occur every day of the week, Monday to Sunday, around 21:30 (SA time). Buy your tickets now at your nearest participating retailer, on our website by visiting national using your computer or mobile site, via the National Lottery Mobile App, or participating banks, namely FNB, ABSA, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Capitec, TymeBank and African Bank otherwise dial 120 7529# for USSD. Winners who win R50 000 and above receive free trauma counselling from professional psychologists and financial advice from accredited financial advisors absolutely free. At the same time, winnings are paid tax-free directly into the winner's accounts. If you are buying tickets from a lottery outlet, they close at 20:30 on the day of a draw. Players must be 18 years old. Monday: Daily Lotto Daily Lotto Tuesday: Daily Lotto + PowerBall and PowerBall Plus Daily Lotto + PowerBall and PowerBall Plus Wednesday: Daily Lotto + Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 Daily Lotto + Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 Thursday: Daily Lotto Daily Lotto Friday: Daily Lotto + PowerBall and PowerBall Plus Daily Lotto + PowerBall and PowerBall Plus Saturday: Daily Lotto + Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 Daily Lotto + Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 Sunday: Daily Lotto For more details and to verify the winning numbers, visit the National Lottery website. You must always confirm the official winning numbers on the National Lottery website. We do our best to post the results as accurately as possible, but the National Lottery is the only source you can use to 100% verify the results. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
