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IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Organisation that took Ramaphosa to court over Phala Phala scandal faces legal costs after withdrawing application
Attorney Zehir Omar could face the legal bill for taking President Cyril Ramaphosa to court in 2022 and later withdrawing the application. Image: Zelda Venter In 2022, hot on the heels of the start of the Phala Phala scandal, an organisation which calls itself The Society for the Protection of our Constitution (applicant), launched court proceedings for President Cyril Ramaphosa to be held accountable, but the organisation, which meanwhile withdrew the application, is now facing the legal bill. The matter was initially brought before the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, in 2022 in which the applicant cited the president and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). It, amongst others, wanted the court to compel the NPA to prosecute the president in relation to Phala Phala. Ramaphosa has meanwhile been cleared by the ANC's Integrity Commission while the NPA declined to pursue criminal charges on his involvement in the matter. The Phala Phala scandal revolves around the 2020 theft of a large sum of foreign currency hidden in couches ($580 000 or R8.7 million at the time) at Ramaphosa's farm in Limpopo. Ramaphosa has denied any wrongdoing. In defending the 2022 court case - before it was withdrawn - the lawyer acting for the president said the application was meritless and constitutes harassment. It was said that the matter has been addressed by the president, and various investigations have been concluded into it. Although the applicant had withdrawn the application in the meantime, it did not tender to pay the president and the NPA's legal bills in this regard. The matter returned to the Pretoria High Court on Monday, where counsel for the president, Advocate Phumzile Sokhela, said they sought answers as to exactly what the Society for the Protection of our Constitution is and whether it is an NGO which launched the 2022 court case in the public interest, as claimed by it. 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 The court was told that if it did not receive these answers, it would ask that attorney Zehir Omar, who was involved in the application, be slapped with the costs order. It has huge financial implications, because if it is found to be a genuine NGO, the 'Biowatch principle will be followed". In South African law, this principle relates to costs orders in constitutional litigation against the state. It generally means that an unsuccessful litigant in such cases against the state should not be ordered to pay the costs of a successful litigant. However, in this case, if the court rules Omar must pay, he faces a huge legal bill. It was explained in court papers by the applicant that the society is an NGO and its aim is to promote respect for the Constitution. It was said that the Society will take all necessary legal action as its members deem fit, to prevent violations of the Constitution. The court was told that since 1999, the organisation has engaged in litigation to prevent the state and its departments from contravening the Constitution. It was explained that it is a voluntary association, which aims to keep the government accountable. The Society also launched court proceedings at the end of last year when it asked that the Government assist the illegal Stilfontein miners who were trapped underground. The court meanwhile reserved judgment regarding who must pay the legal costs in the Phala Phala application.
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Another funding injection saves Post Office jobs
The post office will receive R381 million via the Ters scheme over the next six months to preserve the jobs of employees. Almost 6 000 South African Post Office (Sapo) jobs will be saved via another funding injection. Sapo and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) agreed on a deal to fund employee salaries while the government works to restore the postal service's fortunes. The agreement between the two government entities will see the return of the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (Ters) used during the 2020 global health pandemic. Protecting Sapo workers The Ters scheme will inject R381 million into the post office over the next six months to assist 5 956 employees. Sapo had been hoping for a R3 billion bailout at the end of 2024 to avoid liquidation, but National Treasury decided against the move. The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) on Sunday announced the implementation of the Ters deal, highlighting it as a crucial part of the post office's stabilisation. 'This is a bold and necessary step to protect workers and restore confidence in our public institutions,' DEL Minister Nomokhosazana Meth. 'The Ters programme is not just a financial mechanism, it is a strategic tool to stabilise employment, support economic recovery, and ensure that no worker is left behind,' the minister explained. The funds due to employees will be sent to Sapo every month, with the post office responsible for auditing and compliance throughout the process. 'Sapo is required to submit regular reports, maintain transparent accounting records, and implement a detailed turnaround strategy as a condition of the funding.' The post office has found formulating a turnaround strategy difficult. In 2023, it entered business rescue with R8.7 billion owed to creditors. Sapo received a R2.4 billion bailout from the government in 2023 shortly before receiving a provisional liquidation order, which was added to another R1 billion funding injection in 2019. Despite the entity's troubles, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the South African Post Office SOC Ltd Amendment Bill late last year. 'The new law enables the post office to serve as a hub for government services and other agency services, and as a digital hub for businesses and communities,' the Presidency stated in December. 'The post office will also be able to serve as a logistics partner to other e-commerce providers – including small enterprises and informal traders – and any future business that the state-owned company may develop to serve users and consumers,' the Presidency added. NOW READ: Union fights liquidation of Sapo while govt says it cannot bail it out
Ammon
12-04-2025
- Sport
- Ammon
Salah's new historic Liverpool salary 'revealed'
Ammon News - With Mohamed Salah on the verge of signing a fresh contract with Liverpool, the Egyptian's new record salary has been revealed. Months of speculation surrounding the future of the Reds' talisman appear close to ending, as it has been widely reported that the 32-year-old is nearing agreement on a new deal with the six-time European champions. Salah's future at Anfield has been a topic of discussion since the start of the season, after the prolific winger publicly expressed frustration over the lack of negotiations. However, it now seems that a breakthrough has been made in recent weeks, and the English giants are set to tie down one of their greatest-ever players to new terms. When Liverpool last extended his contract in 2022, they made Salah the highest-paid player in the club's history by offering him £350 000 (R8.7 million) per week. Now, according to The Sun, the Premier League champions-elect will increase that by £50 000 (R1.2 million), with Salah poised to earn £400 000 (R10 million) per week on a brand-new two-year extension. Should he sign, and remain at the club for the duration of the mooted deal, his time at Liverpool will stretch to a decade, having joined from AS Roma in 2017. Since arriving on Merseyside, Salah has consistently performed at a world-class level, scoring 243 goals and providing 111 assists in 394 appearances. He will undoubtedly add to his legend before he departs. Soccer Laduma
