Latest news with #Sigciniwe
IOL News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Hlophe to Ramaphosa: ‘A President broken beyond repair, your couch swallowed millions, you claim to fight corruption?'
MK Party deputy president John Hlophe accuses President Cyril Ramaphosa of being 'broken beyond repair' over the Phala Phala farm controversy. Image: Sigciniwe MK Party deputy president and MP John Hlophe launched a scathing attack on President Cyril Ramaphosa in Parliament on Wednesday, calling him a 'president broken beyond repair' and accusing him of hypocrisy over the Phala Phala scandal. Hlophe slammed Ramaphosa while speaking at the Presidency's budget vote for 2025/2026 financial year, in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon. Hlophe criticised Ramaphosa's anti-corruption stance, mentioning the theft of undeclared foreign currency from a couch on the president's Phala Phala farm. 'You hide dollars like a hustler stashing stolen goods under a mattress,' Hlophe said, speaking directly to Ramaphosa across the chamber. During his speech, Ramaphosa presented the budget vote with a focus on the 7th administration's three strategic priorities, including promoting inclusive growth, job creation, poverty reduction, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state. However, the MK Party rejected the budget outright. 'Today, we stand here not to decorate this chamber with empty words, but to deliver a clear message of defiance and truth,' said Hlophe. 'We stand in absolute rejection of the vote on the Presidency and the National Assembly budget. This is because we refuse to fund lies, hypocrisy, and a failed dream.' 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 He painted a bleak picture of daily life in South Africa, saying citizens were living in a country where 'the price of bread decides whether a child eats or goes to bed hungry,' and where 'hope is more expensive than petrol.' Hlophe said the Presidency had become 'a fortress of a conflicted and compromised president,' and accused Ramaphosa of being 'the living, breathing embodiment of corruption.' A point of order was raised by ANC MP Gijimam Skosana, citing Rule 84, which governs parliamentary decorum and language. Skosana objected to Hlophe's characterisation of Ramaphosa as 'broken beyond repair.' However, Deputy Speaker Annelie Lotriet ruled that the remark was a matter of debate, not a breach of parliamentary rules. Further points of order followed, with ANC MPs objecting to Hlophe's accusations that the president hid stolen currency. Lotriet again defended parliamentary freedom of speech and criticised the misuse of procedural objections. Hlophe also referenced allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who recently accused senior SAPS officials of working with criminal syndicates and attempting to dismantle the task team investigating political killings in the province. 'The SAPS is no longer a shield for the innocent. It has become a rented army protecting drug lords and criminal enterprises,' said Hlophe. He criticised Ramaphosa's response to allegations against senior officials, including placing the Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu on special leave, suggesting this was inadequate. 'You speak of fighting corruption, yet you place your own Minister of Police on special leave instead of removing him from Cabinet, as you did with the DA deputy minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (Andrew Whitfield),' Hlophe said. He also accused Ramaphosa of protecting political allies while ignoring accountability. 'This inconsistency reeks of selective morality. It shows that protecting your faction is more important to you than protecting the people of this country,' he said. In explosive allegations, Mkhwanazi accused Deputy Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya - who is also been placed on special leave - of colluding with information dealer Brown Mogotsi and Mchunu to dismantle the KwaZulu-Natal political killings task team. He claimed Mchunu disbanded the unit in March, halting 121 active dockets tied to political murders. Mkhwanazi presented WhatsApp messages, SAPS documents, and cellphone records as evidence. Mchunu, in a December 2024 letter to Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, said the unit had 'outlived its usefulness.' In response to the scandal, President Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on special leave and established a Judicial Commission of Inquiry. On Tuesday, Ramaphosa appointed Gwede Mantashe as acting Minister of Police, while he retains his role in mineral and petroleum resources. Professor Firoz Cachalia will take over police leadership in August after retiring from Wits University. IOL
IOL News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
The Marriage Bill: South Africans call for change in age of consent and recognition of Muslim marriages
Most of the citizens welcomed the Bill's objectives to consolidate all the existing marriage laws into one legislation and recognise Muslim marriages which were previously excluded. Image: Sigciniwe The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has wrapped up its North West leg of public hearings regarding the Marriage Bill. This marks the fifth province in a national consultation initiative, following sessions in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and Mpumalanga, aimed at gathering widespread input on the pivotal draft legislation. The committee convened at the Vryburg Banquet Hall in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality. The atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm, as members of the public, political parties, religious representatives, non-governmental organisations, and members of the LGBTQI+ community came together to express their views. The overall sentiment among attendees leaned towards support for the Bill, particularly its intention to consolidate existing marriage laws into a unified framework, as well as its aim to recognise Muslim marriages that had previously been overlooked in legislation. Many citizens voiced their concerns, particularly regarding the proposed age of consent set at 18 for marriage. A common thread in today's discussions suggested this age be raised to 21, with attendees arguing that young adults at 18 are often still completing their education and should not be burdened with the responsibilities of marriage. Additionally, there were passionate calls from the audience for stricter penalties, including severe prison sentences for those facilitating underage marriages and for parents who agree to marry off their children below the legal age. Concerns were raised that poverty was a significant factor pushing families into early marriages. Religious sentiments also featured prominently during the hearings, with many leaders opposing clauses related to same-sex marriage. These objections were often based on biblical scripture and a belief that same-sex marriages threaten procreation and traditional family structures. However, members of the community urged caution against allowing religious beliefs to limit others' rights to love and marry freely. Proposals for amendments to the Bill were abundant, with some suggesting provisions to protect cohabiting couples, commonly known as 'vat en sit'. 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 Others recalled discussions around polygamous marriages, advocating that husbands must seek the consent of their first wives prior to marrying again—a point noted as already addressed in the draft Bill. Chairperson, Mosa Chabane thanked all participants for their contributions, noting the immense value of public input in shaping the future of marriage legislation in South Africa. 'We thank the public, religious community, political parties, NGOs, and everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We welcome all your valuable inputs,' she stated. IOL
IOL News
16-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Why young people should prioritise insurance for financial security
Explore the critical role of insurance in securing financial futures for South Africa's youth. This article debunks common myths and provides essential tips for young individuals to build their financial resilience. Image: Sigciniwe Many young people today hold fast to the popular misconception that financial security is something to think about in the latter part of their lives. Well-known phrases like 'You only live once' and 'live your best life' often reinforce a mindset of focusing only on the present and leaving no thought for future planning. Recent data shows that 48,1% of South African workers do not have sufficient liquid savings to cover at least 3 months of living expenses. A further 48,1% are not confident their insurance policies will cover them in case of an emergency. While living in the now might have its appeal, it is equally important for the youth to start planning now for a rainy day. National Youth Month is an opportunity for young people to reflect on the importance of financial resilience and why insurance matters. Young people need insurance because it provides a way to bounce back from the financial shock of losing a key asset. This could be a phone, laptop, handbag, or, if you're more fortunate, a car. In addition, just as young people need to build a healthy credit profile to demonstrate that they are bankable, they also need to build a healthy insurance profile to demonstrate that they are insurable. The better your insurance track record, the stronger your case for a lower premium, so it's never too soon to begin your insurance journey. Young people usually claim vehicle damage or theft, house contents, and personal and portable items like cell phones and laptops. When considering what to insure, think about the items that would be financially devastating if they were lost or stolen. If you are a tenant, building insurance will not be a requirement because that is your landlord's responsibility; however, you can still take out Contents insurance for things like your TV, fridge, and furniture, as these would not be cheap to replace. When it comes to insurance for young people, it's not only about what the insurance product covers but also how and why these products are suitable for them. Our younger clients value insurance that is affordable, easily accessed through platforms like WhatsApp or embedded in other products, and is suited to their modest asset base. They are also attracted to a culturally relevant brand that connects them to a broader vision and purpose. When these expectations are met, we are more likely to see a generation of young individuals build and secure their financial futures. Video Player is loading. 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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. Next Stay Close ✕ When comparing insurance policies, young people should look further than the amount of the monthly premium. Consider excess structures, types of cover provided, terms and conditions of the policy, value-added services, claim overturn ratio, and customer reviews. A reputable claim paying record should also be visible as this proves the insurer delivers on their contractual obligations. The benefits of working with a broker offer you the guidance needed for navigating the insurance world as a beginner. Brokers have sound knowledge of the insurance industry and provide valuable advice on insurance matters ensuring their clients are adequately protected. * Malumo is the head of product at Santam. PERSONAL FINANCE
