Latest news with #SimonMajadibodu
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Ramaphosa to Mbeki and legacy foundations: ‘National Dialogue will proceed with or without you'
Simon Majadibodu | Published 1 day ago President Cyril Ramaphosa has responded to the withdrawal of several legacy foundations from the upcoming National Dialogue, saying 'the show goes on' and that dialogue will continue with or without legacy foundations, including former President Thabo Mbeki. Ramaphosa said that through his spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, during a media briefing at the Union Buildings on Thursday afternoon. This comes amid mounting criticism of the dialogue process from political parties, civil society groups, and prominent legacy foundations. The National Convention for the National Dialogue is scheduled to take place in Pretoria on 15 and 16 August. Magwenya emphasised that the convention is not the dialogue itself, but rather a platform to set the agenda and map out a roadmap for the broader National Dialogue. 'The National Convention is not the actual dialogue,' said Magwenya. 'It is a platform where the agenda for the National Dialogue will be set and agreed upon. The roadmap for the rollout of the actual dialogue will also be affirmed.' He said that the inclusivity of the process should not be questioned at this stage, as the convention is just the beginning of a nine-month, nationwide engagement. 'It's always been understood that this is the kick-off of the dialogue process. Out of the National Convention, we will get a clear roadmap for dialogues in communities, wards, districts and sectoral groups. At the end of this nine-month process, all South Africans will have had an opportunity to participate.' Magwenya dismissed concerns about the legitimacy of the process, arguing that the withdrawal of seven foundations does not undermine its credibility. 'With respect to the National Convention and the withdrawal of seven foundations - with all due respect, these foundations do not represent the majority of South Africans.' Last week on Friday, IOL News reported that several prominent legacy foundations announced their withdrawal from the process, including the Steve Biko Foundation, Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation, Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, WDB Foundation, Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation, and the Strategic Dialogue Group. In a joint statement, the organisations expressed 'deep regret,' saying their decision was necessary to protect the credibility and integrity of the process. They accused organisers of deviating from the original citizen-led vision and shifting towards government control. 'What began as a citizen-led initiative has unfortunately, in practice, shifted towards government control,' the statement read. Magwenya dismissed the notion that the foundations represent defined constituencies, arguing that their absence would not diminish the legitimacy or inclusiveness of the convention. 'These foundations were never set up to be constituency groups, as far as we understand, unless that has changed. We now have close to 1,000 confirmed delegates. The Convention will be representative of all sectors of society through the different formations and groups that have accepted invitations to attend.' He added that the dialogue must eventually reach communities, industries, households and other sectors. 'It can't be held over two days at a university campus - that would be illogical. The credibility of the dialogue is not a once off exercise . It will depend on the level of participation across communities and the outcomes of that process.' Magwenya rejected the idea that the credibility of the dialogue could be determined by one person or a handful of organisations. 'South Africa is much bigger than any one individual or any single foundation. It would've been great to have former (President Mbeki) there – but if he's not there, he's not there.' 'The reality is that the show will go on, and South Africans will continue with the dialogue process. Hopefully, at some point, not only the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and others will eventually decide to participate in the process and realise that there's no benefit out the boycotting the people of South Africa.' 'Boycotting the process is not boycotting the government – it's boycotting the people of South Africa.' He added that the dialogue process does not belong to Ramaphosa or the government 'It belongs to all South Africans. Those who choose not to participate are not disadvantaged by the president or the government – they are choosing not to be part of the broader national conversation.' Several political parties have also withdrawn from the National Dialogue. The Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), both members of the Government of National Unity (GNU), have pulled out, accusing the ANC of using the process to boost its image ahead of the 2026 local government elections. ActionSA announced on Wednesday that it would not formally participate, citing unresolved concerns about the process and the legality of its funding. However, the party will send two senior MPs. Dr Kgosi Letlape and Lerato Ngobeni, to attend in an observer capacity. Controversial lobby groups, AfriForum and Solidary also pulled out from the dialogue. [email protected] IOL Politics
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Joburg mayor blames DA-led coalition as city faces R24. 4bn wasteful spending crisis
Simon Majadibodu | Published 7 hours ago Joburg Mayor Dada Morero has blamed the previous DA-led administration for the city's ballooning unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure, which has reached R24.4 billion over the past year. Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, Morero confirmed he had submitted a comprehensive financial recovery plan to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, who had given the City of Johannesburg 14 days to respond after raising alarm over its financial mismanagement. This comes after Auditor-General, Tsakani Maluleke, flagged serious governance failures, including poor financial controls, weak revenue collection and chronic underinvestment. The National Treasury has cautioned that failure to resolve the crisis could result in the withholding of national grants. Morero said he received the letter from Godongwana on July 30, 2025, outlining the minister's concern over the city's ongoing non-compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), specifically relating to unauthorised and irregular expenditure. 'The Honourable Minister requested that I respond within 14 days. I can confirm that I have now submitted a comprehensive response on behalf of the City of Johannesburg,' Morero said. The response, he said, includes a full account of the issues behind the R23.6 billion in unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure as reported in the city's 2023–2024 financial statements. Morero, who has served as mayor since August 2022, again blamed the Democratic Alliance-led coalition, which governed the city between 2016 and 2021. He previously served as an MMC for Finance at the metro in 2023. 'Our beloved city endured a period of mismanagement and poor leadership under the DA-led coalition. The R23.6 billion is a cumulative figure that increased progressively over several years, largely unaddressed and not regularised as required by the MFMA,' he said. He broke down the R23.6 billion figure, which includes R13 billion (55%) in unauthorised expenditure, R9.9 billion (42%) in irregular expenditure, and R735 million (3%) in fruitless and wasteful expenditure. Morero said most of the unauthorised spending, comes from bulk purchases of electricity and water that exceeded the approved budget. 'These bulk purchases are driven by resident consumption as well as both technical and non-technical losses during service delivery,' he said. Irregular expenditure mainly arose from procurement processes that failed to comply with supply chain regulations. 'It's important to clarify that irregular or unauthorised expenditure doesn't necessarily mean that the goods or services weren't received. It points to non-compliance in procurement procedures,' he said. Morero said to address these issues, he implemented key interventions including an enhanced expenditure reduction strategy focused on investigations, consequence management, and regularisation of non-compliant spending in line with MFMA Section 32.2. He said he also re-established the city's disciplinary board for financial misconduct and initiated criminal proceedings where necessary. 'In February 2025, I approached President Cyril Ramaphosa for technical support through the Presidential Working Group,' Morero added. He said the city also established a 'War Room' and introduced a 'Bomb Squad' to oversee financial recovery and monitor service delivery progress weekly. These interventions, he claimed, are beginning to show results. 'As of June 30, 2025, R12.9 billion of the R23.6 billion has been regularised. The balance of R6.7 billion is under investigation. The remainder has been investigated and is now being processed by municipal committees,' he said. Morero said he expects a 'significant reduction' in irregular expenditure in the city's 2024–2025 annual financial statements. He said the disciplinary board has completed preliminary investigations into six matters totalling R535 million, with outcomes to be presented to the Council during its next ordinary sitting. On July 31, the Council approved 12 further matters for investigation, amounting to R2.5 billion. These relate to alleged financial misconduct and unresolved unauthorised expenditure. Morero also claimed there were improvements in revenue collection through the War Room initiative, with the city achieving an 87% collection rate between April and June 2025 - a 2.7% increase from the same period last year. He said the city is now targeting a sustainable daily revenue collection of R200 million. 'The impact of the Presidential Working Group and Bomb Squad is beginning to be visible through accelerated service delivery,' he said. He said a new board has been appointed to oversee municipal entities, while oversight through the Group Audit Committees and the Mayoral Committee is being strengthened. He added, 'Reducing unauthorised, irregular and fruitless expenditure is now a key performance indicator for senior managers. The disciplinary board will continue expediting investigations into allegations of financial misconduct.' [email protected] IOL Politics
The Star
12-08-2025
- Business
- The Star
Gupta compound in Saxonwold sold for R34. 5 million
Simon Majadibodu | Published 1 hour ago The controversial Gupta family's Saxonwold compound has been sold to a single buyer for approximately R34.5 million, the Park Village Auctions (PVA) said. PVA announced that all three properties - number. 3, 5, and 7 Saxonwold Drive in Sandton, Gauteng - along with their contents- have been successfully sold. The sale includes furniture and appliances, with the total amount realised inclusive of buyer's commission and VAT. 'Park Village Auctions has realised approximately R34.5 million for all three Saxonwold properties and their contents,' said PVA's Clive Lazarus. Lazarus confirmed that the Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs) accepted and approved the offer. The properties belonged to Confident Concept (Pty) Ltd, which is currently under business rescue. IOL News previously reported that the auction revealed that a single R3 million offer was made for the six-bedroom mansion at 7 Saxonwold Drive, far below the starting bid of R5 million. In contrast, number 5 Saxonwold Drive, an eight-bedroom, three-storey home, failed to attract any bids. Municipal valuations painted a stark contrast: R21 million for No. 5 and R36 million for No. 7 Saxonwold Drive. High monthly municipal rates - R19,186 and R29,433 respectively, with costs reaching up to R30,000, likely deterred potential buyers. In addition to the main properties, the buyer also acquired No. 7A Saxonwold Drive for R6.5 million, including commission and VAT, Lazarus said. 'With all necessary securities received in good order, the assets formerly belonging to Confident Concept (Pty) Ltd are confirmed as sold,' he added. The BRPs will distribute the proceeds according to the business rescue plan, offering some relief to creditors. Over the years, PVA, acting on behalf of the BRPs, has overseen the disposal of assets from several companies linked to the Guptas, including Islandsite Investments 180 (Pty) Ltd, Koornfontein Mines (Pty) Ltd, Optimum Coal Mine (Pty) Ltd, Optimum Coal Terminal (Pty) Ltd, The New Age Media (Pty) Ltd, and VR Laser Services (Pty) Ltd. 'The Business Rescue Practitioners are satisfied with this outcome, as is PVA. The sale signifies how we, with the BRPs, will be relentless in reclaiming funds owed to creditors,' said Lazarus. [email protected] IOL News
The Star
11-08-2025
- Health
- The Star
Three Operation Dudula women in court over ID demands at Soweto clinic
Simon Majadibodu | Published 5 hours ago Three women from Operation Dudula are expected to appear in the Orlando Magistrate's Court on Monday after allegedly entering a Soweto clinic and demanding that patients produce their identity documents to prove their nationality. The incident took place on Thursday at the Lilian Ngoyi Clinic in Diepkloof, Soweto. The women, aged between 49 and 60, reportedly entered the maternity ward and disrupted services by questioning patients and demanding to see their identity documents. Police were called to the scene after the suspects were locked inside one of the labour wards, where both staff and patients felt their rights had been violated. Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said the women were arrested and charged with contravention of the National Health Act and public violence, among other offences. Operation Dudula, an anti-migrant group, launched a nationwide campaign in June aimed at preventing undocumented foreign nationals from accessing healthcare services at public facilities. The group has been blocking foreign nationals from receiving treatment across Gauteng, claiming public healthcare should be reserved for South African citizens only. They argue the country's healthcare system is overburdened and cannot support undocumented immigrants. The group's actions have drawn sharp criticism from government officials and human rights organisations, while some community members have expressed support. In a separate incident in Booysens, two suspects were arrested after allegedly assaulting a man at a local clinic. 'It is alleged that on Monday, August 4, the victim was queuing for treatment when a woman approached him and demanded to see his ID or passport,' said Masondo. 'When he could not produce the documents, she called two accomplices who then assaulted the man and forced him to leave the facility.' The victim later reported the incident to the Booysens Police Station. Two suspects were arrested and charged with contravention of the National Health Act and common assault. [email protected] IOL News
IOL News
04-08-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
The city of Johannesburg is no more
The Johannesburg CBD is no more. It's been destroyed, says the writer. Image: Simon Majadibodu/IOL On Thursday 31 July I asked the driver of the car we were using to take us around the Johannesburg CBD to see the state of the city. Having lived just across the city, in Braamfontein, from January 1983 to December 1984 and having enjoyed many walks into the CBD and its surroundings, nothing could have prepared me for the shock. The Johannesburg CBD is no more. It's been destroyed. I asked our driver to drive through the CBD's famous streets, such as Commissioner, Eloff, Bree, Rissik, Jeppe, and others. Every street we drove through confronted me with a dystopian nightmare – except in this case, it was all real. The CBD was a heaving, suffering, mortally wounded animal, breathing its last as violent humans further violated what remained of its beauty. The Johannesburg CBD is a parking lot for taxis. They park anywhere and everywhere. The few police officers we saw were accompanied by security guards. Hotels and businesses have all closed or relocated. It seemed that the buildings had last been maintained in 1983. The old Stock Exchange Building with its mirrored exterior, where we once took pictures in 1984, is now just a piece of filthy glass. The road infrastructure is collapsing. I fear to think what's happening to the underground sewerage systems in the CBD. The garbage is piling up on every corner. Public toilets are any open spot, wherever you can find one, for men and women. I saw knocked-down, rusting traffic lights with weeds growing in-between them, evidence of how long they have been lying there. A red traffic light is merely a suggestion to slow down, not to stop. A Sunday newspaper headlined the same story. A city is collapsing because its leadership is incompetent and corrupt. When President Ramaphosa, in March 2025, expressed his shock at the state of the Johannesburg CBD, one felt the betrayal like a bitter poison in the mouth. How could he not have known? He subsequently established the Presidential Johannesburg Working Group, alongside mayor Dada Morero, to address the city's issues ahead of the G20 summit. Like many of the president's projects, this one appears also to be money-rich but stillborn. While budgets are being spent, my tour of the Johannesburg CBD revealed little evidence that anything has changed between 6 March and 31 July 2025. According to the Sunday Times, Finance Minister Godongwana is also on the warpath with mayor Morero, highlighting 'R1.4bn in unauthorised expenditure, R22bn in irregular expenditure, and R705m in fruitless and wasteful expenditure.' If there is ever a picture of the heart of the ANC, it is the state of the Johannesburg CBD. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ . Lorenzo Davids is the Executive Director of Urban Issues Consulting. Image: Supplied Once the centre of our celebration of freedom and justice, it now feeds itself and its families off every cent allocated to help the people of that city. What is so deeply disturbing is that the ANC leaders are not disturbed by this. They still believe they can fix Johannesburg. Premier Lesufi and Mayor Morero are optimistic about returning the city to its glory days. Many, however, see only more money being spent that will go into the pockets of the corrupt, while the city continues to recede further into total collapse. If you wish to see the clearest example of the careless and cancerous rot within political governance, look no further than what is happening to the Johannesburg CBD. The place that contributes the most to our national GDP, where the students of 1976 showed the way to freedom, where Mandela and Tambo had offices, where the Freedom Charter was adopted, where Ahmed Timol died and where the Treason Trialists faced the Apartheid government in an epic trial, is facing a tragic demise. Sandton and Centurion are the alternative places to do business in Johannesburg. At the same time, our freedom's history in the Johannesburg CBD is being destroyed by those who had a duty to protect it. Cape Argus
