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The Citizen
04-08-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: US trade deal talks 'complex'
Here's your daily news update for Monday, 4 August 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. News today includes trade, industry and competition Minister Parks Tau has outlined the challenges South Africa faced during negotiations with the United States (US), as the country prepares to respond to the looming 30% tariff on its exports. Meanwhile, former president and MK party leader Jacob Zuma has demanded the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa for 'repeatedly violating his oath of office', giving him until 10am on Friday to do so, or he will take action against him. Furthermore, South African television personality Dlamini accused Podcast and Chill presenters of hate speech and harassment. Weather tomorrow: 4 August 2025 Light snowfall is expected in parts of the Eastern Cape, while damaging waves and very cold weather threaten to disrupt beachfront activities between parts of the Northern and Western Cape. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. US tariffs: Here's why talks over trade deal have been 'complex' Trade, industry and competition Minister Parks Tau has outlined the challenges South Africa faced during negotiations with the United States (US), as the country prepares to respond to the looming 30% tariff on its exports. The tariffs are scheduled to take effect on Friday after South Africa did not reach a trade agreement with the US before President Donald Trump's deadline. Trade minister Parks Tau and international relations minister Ronald Lamola briefing reporters on the US trade negotiations. Picture: Supplied Trump had delayed the implementation of the tariffs for 90 days in April to allow time for negotiations. CONTINUE READING: US tariffs: Here's why talks over trade deal have been 'complex' Motorists could become targets of aggressive revenue collection operations by JMPD, says DA The DA in Gauteng has accused the City of Johannesburg of using Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers to collect revenue for the struggling municipality. The party says it has been reliably informed that JMPD officers have been told to collect R7000 in fines daily. A JMPD officer directs traffic. Picture: The Citizen/Nigel Sibanda The officers also have the option of working overtime to help them reach the target. CONTINUE READING: Motorists could become targets of aggressive revenue collection operations by JMPD, says DA Zuma demands Ramaphosa resign by Friday, or else… Former president and MK party leader Jacob Zuma has demanded the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa for 'repeatedly violating his oath of office', giving him until 10am on Friday to do so, or he will take action against him. Zuma and the MK party are still reeling from their Constitutional Court loss, which dismissed their urgent application to invalidate Ramaphosa's decision to place Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu on a leave of absence, appoint Wits law professor Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister and establish a commission of inquiry. President Cyril Ramaphosa and former president Jacob Zuma. Picture: The Witness However, Zuma is not happy and has now written to Ramaphosa through his attorneys, demanding answers to questions related to Mchunu and Cachalia. CONTINUE READING: Zuma demands Ramaphosa resign by Friday, or else… Are there any safe cars left on SA roads? NCC issues another vehicle recall Week after week, the National Consumer Commission (NCC) has issued a product recall of certain car models due to issues that can lead to serious injury. The latest recall is of a Lexus LX600 due to an issue that can greatly increase the risk of an accident, especially at higher speeds. The NCC is a body that protects consumers by ensuring that businesses comply with consumer protection laws and treat customers fairly. Picture: iStock The Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 safeguards consumers from hazards and ensures their well-being and safety by governing product recalls. The NCC can order a recall if a product is deemed unsafe or poses a potential risk to the public. CONTINUE READING: Are there any safe cars left on SA roads? NCC issues another vehicle recall Minnie Dlamini sues MacG and Sol Phenduka for R2.5 million over podcast remarks This high-profile case puts the spotlight on gender-based discrimination in digital media and could set a landmark legal precedent. South African television personality Dlamini accused Podcast and Chill presenters of hate speech and harassment. Minnie Dlamini attends the world premiere of Disney's Mufasa: The Lion King at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on December 09, 2024. Picture:for Disney In court documents submitted last week, according to Sunday World, Dlamini is seeking legal accountability, demanding R1 million for herself and an additional R1.5 million to be donated to a women's organisation. CONTINUE READING: Minnie Dlamini sues MacG and Sol Phenduka for R2.5 million over podcast remarks Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Here's how many illegal foreigners tried to enter SA | Lesufi reshuffles several heads of departments | Sibiya hits back at Mkhwanazi
The Citizen
04-08-2025
- The Citizen
Motorists could become targets of aggressive revenue collection operations by JMPD, says DA
DA accuses the municipality of shifting its revenue collection duties onto JMPD officers. The DA in Gauteng has accused the City of Johannesburg of using Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers to collect revenue for the struggling municipality. The party says it has been reliably informed that JMPD officers have been told to collect R7000 in fines daily. The officers also have the option of working overtime to help them reach the target. Each officer expected to collect R7k daily DA MPL Michael Sun told The Citizen that the municipality is pushing its rate collection responsibilities to JMPD officers. 'Officers have reliably informed us that they are under pressure to each collect at least R7 000 in traffic fines daily. 'This effectively turns law enforcement into a revenue-generating system rather than a public safety service,' Sun said. How are motorists affected? Sun said this policy puts motorists in a position where they can easily become targets for officers under pressure to meet their targets. 'This pushes JMPD officers to aggressively pursue fines instead of focusing on their duties, such as bylaw enforcement, traffic management, and crime prevention. 'While disturbing, these revelations coincide with the common sight in Johannesburg, where the JMPD is increasingly engaging in indiscriminate and excessive roadblocks, particularly at high-traffic intersections, not to ensure road safety or enforce the law but to maximise fine collection,' he said. ALSO READ: Lesufi reshuffles several heads of Gauteng departments after reports reveal misconduct Questions raised about some JMPD operations Sun said some operations that JMPD embarks on are non-compliant with the National Road Traffic Act and the South African Police Service Standing Orders. 'By reclassifying illegal roadblocks as 'roadside checks', JMPD evades crucial legal requirements, including proper authorisation by a senior officer, clear signage, adequate warning to motorists, among others. 'These legally indefensible roadside checks exist solely to extract revenue from struggling motorists, many of whom are already facing economic hardship,' he said. Sun said the new targets that have been given to officers do not contribute to regulating traffic flow, reducing accidents, or ensuring public safety. 'Instead, they foster abuse, selective enforcement, and an erosion of public trust. A DA-led Gauteng provincial government would put an end to revenue-based policing targets, restoring integrity to JMPD operations.' The Citizen reached out to JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla for comment. 'Your enquiry has been noted. I will revert back to you as soon as possible,' he said. The Citizen also contacted the City of Johannesburg's group communications for comment. This comes after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana also expressed concern with the state of the metro's finances. This article will be updated once the City of Joburg responds to the allegations made by the DA. According to The Sunday Times, Godongwana has given the city a few days to come up with a strategy to curb wasteful expenditure or face intervention from national government. The City of Johannesburg has a budget of about R89 billion but has been struggling to collect rates over the years. NOW READ: 'Barrelling towards collapse': Concerns mount as Godongwana gives Morero deadline to fix Joburg's finances
