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The Citizen
13 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa says punitive action against Mchunu would set dangerous precedent
Ramaphosa has pushed back against claims that inquiries are political theatre, urging patience as new probe begins into alleged police corruption. As confidence in commissions of inquiries wanes among South Africans and calls for Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's head to roll get louder, President Cyril Ramaphosa says punitive action would set a dangerous precedent. Ramaphosa was delivering the Presidency budget vote before the National Assembly in Parliament on Wednesday, where he emphasised the necessity of establishing commissions. Ramaphosa calls for due process in Mchunu scandal 'These allegations are serious. They are also untested,' Ramaphosa said, in reference to KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's scathing claims that Mchunu has links to criminal gangs. 'It is therefore necessary that we establish the facts through an independent, credible and thorough process so that we can ensure accountability and safeguard public confidence in the police service,' the president said. Ramaphosa established a commission of inquiry on Sunday to look into Mkhwanazi's claims. Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga will chair the commission. In the meantime, Mchunu has been placed on leave of absence. Firoz Cachalia will be acting in his place. Commission of inquiry criticism The president's decision has not fallen short of criticism. The Walter & Albertina Sisulu Foundation accused Ramaphosa of governance through symbolism rather than substance. 'This is not new terrain – it is recycled theatre. We've seen this pattern repeatedly: announce a high-profile inquiry, delay real consequences, delegate moral responsibility to judges, and preserve executive distance from political accountability,' the foundation said. Chairperson of the portfolio committee on police Ian Cameron lamented on Monday that despite senior police officials being linked to an organised criminal syndicate in Gauteng, no action will be taken against them for the next six months. ALSO READ: Police Minister Senzo Mchunu placed on leave of absence 'To be honest, I lost my trust in commissions, without disregarding the new commission led by Judge [Mbuyiseli] Madlanga,' Cameron said. 'It would be unfair to criticise the new commission or to criticise him as a judge; you need to be given the opportunity… I think that, in essence, it seems to be what it has become. 'It makes sure that, for example, the president doesn't need to make a decision; it makes sure that there are no immediate consequences for anyone implicated,' he added. Ramaphosa highlights past outcomes During Wednesday's address, Ramaphosa said the view that other commissions and panels haven't produced any real results was 'wrong' and 'not borne out of evidence'. He noted the following commissions and the results they yielded: 2018 Commission on the South African Revenue Service (Sars), chaired by Judge Robert Nugent 'The commission's findings and recommendations resulted in a comprehensive overhaul of Sars' leadership, governance structures and operational capacity. This has enabled Sars to significantly increase revenue collection, improve compliance and recover substantial sums of unpaid tax.' Commission of Inquiry into the Public Investment Corporation, chaired by Judge Lex Mpati '… exposed serious governance failures and led to far reaching institutional reforms. These commissions resulted in disciplinary actions and the cancellation of unlawful contracts.' High-Level Panel on the State Security Agency '… contributed significantly to SSA's stabilisation and recovery, improved oversight and accountability, and the structural reforms contained in the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Act. Expert Panel into the 2021 Civil Unrest 'Following the recommendations… government has taken steps to ensure better intelligence coordination, capacitating public order policing, strengthening community policing forums and streamlining the functioning of the National Security Council.' State Capture Commission 'In the three years since the final report… was presented to the president, government has undertaken major reforms based on its recommendations.' ALSO READ: Mchunu backs Ramaphosa's move to launch inquiry, steps aside 'with honour' State capture Lingering on the consequences of the State Capture Commission, Ramaphosa said eight new laws were passed to beef up anti-corruption institutions and to improve procurement systems and intelligence services. He said nearly R11 billion in assets were recovered by March 2025 and another R10.6 billion remain frozen pending outcomes of court cases. Ramaphosa also said there were criminal cases arising from that have ended, all with guilty verdicts. Other cases involving 51 individuals and 27 companies are currently enrolled in court, he added. 'These commissions and panels show a government that takes responsibility, that is committed to transparency and accountability, that does not fear independent scrutiny, and that is determined to take corrective action where lapses have taken place.' NOW READ: Ramaphosa appoints Gwede Mantashe as acting police minister
IOL News
25 minutes ago
- IOL News
Act now: Sassa demands document submission from grant recipients
Sassa launches verification campaign for grant recipients at risk of income non-disclosure. In a bid to enhance the integrity of the social assistance system, the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has initiated a verification campaign targeting grant recipients who have been flagged for potential non-disclosure of income. The agency is urging affected beneficiaries to submit specific documents or risk losing access to their social grants. "Sassa continues to review social grants of targeted beneficiaries suspected to have other alternative sources of income that were not disclosed," the agency said in a statement. The review comes amid increasing pressure to prevent fraud and ensure that only qualifying South Africans benefit from the social assistance system. Sassa confirmed that beneficiaries who did not receive their monthly grants must visit their nearest local office immediately.
India.com
43 minutes ago
- Sport
- India.com
Brian Lara Slams At West Indies Board Following Nicholas Poorans Retirement And The Downfall Of WI Cricket
Brian Lara noted that players like Nicholas Pooran are retiring early to play in various global leagues, where they can earn more money. Lara felt that this was a result of the West Indies Cricket Board's failure to incentivise players to remain loyal to West Indies cricket, contrasting it with the efforts of boards in countries like England, Australia, and India. "You have a lot of guys who are deciding on what to do with their careers. You have your aggressive players like Pooran, who retired at 29. And honestly, it's pretty clear why they did. There are five or six leagues around the world, and they're able to make a substantial amount of money playing in them," Brian Lara said on the 'Stick to Cricket' podcast hosted by former England players Phil Tuffnell, David Lloyd, Michael Vaughan, and Alastair Cook. "I have no problem with that. The truth is, I don't think the West Indies Cricket Board or the administration has done anything meaningful to keep players loyal to West Indies cricket, unlike what boards in countries like England, Australia, or even India have done," he added "So naturally, our players are going to look elsewhere. And when you see players like Kane Williamson or even South Africans making similar choices, you understand that these guys are just trying to provide for their families." Pooran surprised the world by announcing his retirement from international cricket at the age of 29 last month. The 29-year-old, who recently dazzled in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Lucknow Super Giants with explosive performances, described retiring from the international circuit as "difficult". With over eight months left before the T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off in India and Sri Lanka, Pooran's decision serves as a massive setback for the 2016 winners. Since bursting onto the international scene in 2016, Pooran featured in 106 T20Is and 61 ODIs, garnering more than 4,258 runs across both formats. He mustered up 2,275 in the shortest format of cricket, averaging 26.14 at 136.39. While in the 50-over cricket, he tallied 1,983 runs at 39.66 while maintaining a strike rate of 99.15, laced with three centuries and 11 fifties.
IOL News
43 minutes ago
- Business
- IOL News
ANC and DA condemn MK Party's chaos over Division of Revenue Bill
ANC and DA condemn MK Party's internal chaos and split vote on the Division of Revenue Bill, warning it jeopardizes governance and service delivery in KwaZulu-Natal amid ongoing leadership turmoil. Image: Doctor Ngcobo/ Independent Media The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has criticised the MK Party for its handling and ultimate rejection of the Division of Revenue (DORA) Bill, which was passed during a special sitting of the KZN Legislature on Tuesday. The ANC described the bill as vital for the continued delivery of essential services such as healthcare, education, housing, and social development. The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature on Wednesday passed the Division of Revenue Bill with 65 members voting in favour, six against, and no abstentions. The vote exposed a growing rift within the Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), as five of its MPLs voted against the bill, defying their newly appointed Chief Whip, Bonginkosi Mngadi, who supported it. The bill, which outlines how national revenue will be shared among all spheres of government for the 2025/26 financial year, was debated during a virtual special sitting presided over by KZN Legislature Speaker, Nontembeko Boyce. While Mngadi affirmed MKP's support for transparency and accountability by backing the bill, former Chief Whip Mervyn Dirks voted against it, aligning with the party's national stance and causing visible confusion within the MKP ranks. ANC KZN spokesperson Fanie Sibisi welcomed the support from the majority of Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs), stating, 'The ANC salutes the 65 Members of the Provincial Legislature who voted in favour of the Bill, putting the needs of the people above petty politics. Their vote is a vote for stable governance, uninterrupted services, and continued development across KwaZulu-Natal.' Sibisi condemned the MK Party's disjointed approach to the bill, particularly the five members who voted against it alongside one EFF MPL. 'Their failure to take a clear and unified stance and the decision by five of their members to vote against the Bill was not only reckless, but a betrayal of the very people who sent them to the Legislature,' he said. 'This was not just a vote against a budget, it was a vote against progress, against the poor, and against working-class families who rely on government support every day.' He went on to describe the MK Party as 'a populist organisation with no policies, no discipline, and no respect for democratic responsibility,' accusing it of prioritising internal chaos over public service. Sibisi said: ''What KwaZulu-Natal witnessed today was a party that is confused, unprepared, and uninterested in serving the very communities they claim to represent. Moreover, he noted that their chaotic behaviour in the Legislature confirms what many South Africans are already beginning to see, that voting for MKP was a costly mistake. 'While they play politics with people's lives, the ANC continues to lead with discipline, experience, and a deep understanding of what governance requires,' Sibisi said. ''The ANC in KZN remains committed to building a province that works for all, especially the most vulnerable. As the leader of society, the ANC will continue to partner with all parties whose interest is to protect the gains of our democracy, defend service delivery, and ensure that resources are channelled where they are needed most, to the people.' 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 Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in KZN also criticised the MK Party, pointing to public divisions and internal confusion during the sitting. DA KZN spokesperson on Finance, Tim Brauteseth, said the day 'exposed deep divisions within the MK Party and raised serious concerns for the people of this province.' According to Brauteseth, the session started smoothly, with MKP MPL Slindile Seme backing the bill and even aligning with the DA's fiscal principles. 'The first MKP speaker, Slindile Seme, supported the Bill and even agreed with the DA's financial governance principles,' he said. But confusion followed when Dirks launched a scathing attack on the bill, declaring that the MKP rejected it 'with the contempt it deserved.' This directly contradicted Seme's earlier remarks and sowed chaos in the party's ranks. Brauteseth detailed how MKP's newly appointed Chief Whip Mngadi, 'the umpteenth individual in this role in one year,' as he put it, tried to reverse course by announcing support for the bill. However, when the Speaker allowed members to vote individually, Dirks led a group of MKP MPLs in voting against it. 'This level of confusion within the ranks of KZN's main opposition party is both concerning and revealing,' Brauteseth said. 'It reveals that there is no effective opposition in the KZN Legislature. Instead, it is the DA that can continue to claim this role, by holding the GPU to account from within.' He added that the incident demonstrated the dangers of entrusting the MKP with governance. 'Today's events have exposed that the concept of MKP governing KZN would be a farce and disastrous for the people of our province,' he said. 'Not for the first time, the claim that the DA within KZN's Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) has rescued our province, has been proven true.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL Politics
IOL News
2 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
MK party sets deadline for Ramaphosa's resignation, threatens nationwide action
The MK party led by former president Jacob Zuma has given President Cyril Ramaphosa until Friday to resign, threatening different actions including rolling mass action. Image: Doctor Ngcobo The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party has formally delivered a letter of demand to Cyril Ramaphosa, calling on him to resign from office by 9am on Friday, July 18. In the letter seen by IOL, among other things, the MK party tells Ramaphosa that the decision to appoint Professor Cachalia as Acting Minister of Police is in contravention of the Constitution, because the academic is not a member of Cabinet or the National Assembly. MK party national spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, said Ramaphosa must resign in honour of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding commander-in-chief of uMkhonto weSizwe - the military wing. 'Should Ramaphosa fail to heed this call, the MK party will pursue a range of lawful and peaceful actions, including constitutional litigation, a motion of no confidence in Parliament and rolling mass action nationwide,' said Ndlela. 'These steps reflect the will of the people, who, through democratic means, delivered a decisive electoral verdict against the African National Congress under Ramaphosa's leadership.' He said, despite the 'clear message' from the electorate, the will of the people has been undermined by opportunistic political alliances. President Cyril Ramaphosa Image: Supplied During the May 2024 general elections, the African National Congress (ANC) secured just 40% of the vote, failing to maintain its decades-long parliamentary majority. 'The so-called Government of National Unity (GNU), formed by the Democratic Alliance, Freedom Front Plus, and their collaborators, has effectively reinstalled the very ANC that South Africans voted out. This betrayal has sparked widespread public outrage and represents a direct affront to democratic accountability,' said Ndlela. 'The recent explosive revelations by General Mkhwanazi further expose the GNU as a deeply compromised arrangement, more aligned with criminality than with the constitutional mandate to serve the people.' He said the MK party views the GNU as 'the most dangerous political fraud' in post-apartheid South Africa, adding that the political arrangement enables the continued theft of land, resources and dignity. 'The MK party calls on Cyril Ramaphosa and the GNU to respect the voice of the people before irreparable damage is done to South Africa's democratic institutions. The time for accountability and ethical leadership is now,' said Ndlela. Marching from Thokoza Park to the Kliptown police station, the small group lamented the recent deaths of councillors and other activists whose murders have not been resolved, while crime continues to spiral out of control. In Durban, supporters of Mkhwanazi marched from Curries Fountain to Hoy Park to deliver a memorandum, calling for the police commissioner's protection. This march followed his recent media briefing, which has lifted the lid on alleged deep-rooted corruption within the SAPS. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
