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IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
ActionSA tables bill to slash bloated Cabinet, wants deputy ministers out
A year into South Africa's Government of National Unity, political compromise remains elusive, raising concerns about gridlock, infrastructure decay, and coalition fragility amid hopes for economic reform and unity. Image: Supplied ActionSA has launched a scathing critique of South Africa's bloated executive, announcing a bold Constitutional Amendment Bill that seeks to overhaul the size and structure of Cabinet, starting with the complete abolition of all 43 Deputy Minister posts. In a statement on Sunday, ActionSA MP, Athol Trollip, described deputy ministers as a 'financial waste,' arguing that their inability to act in the absence of ministers renders them functionally redundant. 'If deputy ministers cannot step in during a crisis, what purpose do they serve beyond being instruments of cadre deployment?' he asked. This move comes amid renewed scrutiny of President Cyril Ramaphosa's cabinet management following a series of high-profile missteps. The most recent being the suspension of Police Minister Bheki Cele, referred to erroneously in ActionSA's release as Senzo Mchunu, amid allegations of interference in investigations. Despite the presence of two deputy ministers in the police ministry, Ramaphosa opted to appoint an outsider, Prof. Firoz Cachalia, as acting minister. Until Cachalia is sworn in, Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe holds the role in a temporary capacity. Trollip also cited the controversial appointment of Thembi Simelane—implicated in the VBS scandal—as Minister of Justice before a midnight portfolio switch with Mmamoloko Kubayi. 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 ✕ ActionSA has since laid criminal charges against Simelane. ActionSA's Constitution Twenty-Second Amendment Bill proposes four key reforms, including abolishing all deputy minister roles, introducing parliamentary vetting for all ministerial appointments, empowering parliament to remove individual ministers through motions of no confidence and expanding non-MP appointments, allowing up to four ministers to be selected from outside parliament to attract technical expertise. These constitutional changes form part of ActionSA's broader 'Cabinet Reform Package,' first unveiled in March 2025. A companion bill, the Enhanced Cut Cabinet Perks Bill, has also been formally tabled. It seeks to strip the President of unchecked power over the Ministerial Handbook and impose tighter scrutiny on perks and privileges. ActionSA said the reforms could save taxpayers R1.5 billion annually, funds it believes should be redirected to public services and infrastructure instead of sustaining what it calls 'an overstaffed, underperforming executive.' With 75 ministers and deputies, South Africa's executive remains one of the largest in the world—a structure critics argue is unsustainable amid sluggish growth and a deepening fiscal crisis. IOL Politics
The Citizen
24-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Gangsters in suits are in power in SA
Political leaders thrive in scandal and excess, while citizens endure daily hardship and a broken system. There is a fundamental flaw in our society. The mechanisms used in an ordinary setting are a complete waste. In recent weeks, we have seen the crumbling of political careers, merely by being named as tainted by association pending investigations and inquiries. The rot has found itself, eating away at the taxpayers' table, knowing well the people live in squalor and barely get by. The price of electricity has gone up, again. This when we sing to ourselves as a means of entertainment because the electricity has taken a stroll; yet the prices increase. When we are ferrying water in buckets because the alternative is to drink and bathe in cool drink, as the water supply has gone to find the electricity that has taken a stroll. ALSO READ: When mothers are no longer seen as protectors The road has left the road and everything is in ICU. Yet, in the dramedy of things, we, the people, must continue to pay when the exchanges are not to our benefit. One would be naïve to believe the flaws of the systems are entrepreneurs who fund holidays, election campaigns and private schooling for those in power. Our monies, hard-earned as they are, are hard fought for, only to bankroll the lives of the corrupt. In the greater scheme of things, I cannot undermine the importance of tax that the country requires all to pour into it, for it to produce a world-class country. But why does the pouring seem to only come from the taxpayers? From the elections and beyond, whoever ascends or remains in power, may they give as good as they take. But we are all dried up from being looted by those we have entrusted with leadership; who we finding out are the very pushers of the crime that has been begging for a chance to breathe. ALSO READ: Our promised land was sold to thugs Absolute power corrupts and we are watching this in real life. We are appalled. But more than anything else, we are bystanders in our own country as we have ascended criminality to offices of great power with massive budgets. The ANC has allowed rogue and criminal elements; people have continued to keep it in power. The EFF has its VBS scandal. The DA has been associated with gangsterism and tainted names in Cape Town. It is kept comfortable by its voters. The Patriotic Alliance is having its moment in the spotlight with the arrest of businessman Katiso Molefe. The less said of the uMkhonto weSizwe party, the better. We, the people, must understand we have not been loud enough about the calibre of people we give power to, and that is where we need to reconfigure our moral compass. NOW READ: Politicians dangle immigration control as election bait
The Citizen
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Why the ANC remains a safe haven for corruption
Nkabane's dismissal is no turning point—Ramaphosa caved to pressure, not principle, while corruption still defines the ANC's core. The dismissal of higher education minister Nobuhle Nkabane does not herald the 'new dawn' President Cyril Ramaphosa promised in 2018. He hasn't suddenly found courage to deal with miscreants. Ramaphosa was bowing to pressure from the DA, which threatened to withhold support for budget items in parliament if he did not act against certain ministers. The initial list included Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane and deputy minister David Mahlobo. But for now, Nkabane's removal is enough for the budget to proceed. Ramaphosa acted just in time, with the Appropriations Bill scheduled to be voted on tomorrow. If this Bill were to fail, the budget would be held up. Government departments would run out of money. Salaries wouldn't be paid. ALSO READ: Five things you need to know about the new higher education minister Buti Manamela Given the scale of corruption in the ANC, Nkabane is small fry. She lied to parliament, which is a criminal offence. And her falsified nominations for section education and training authority boards were dishonest but Simelane has a worse track record, with links to the VBS scandal. Mahlobo features at length in the report of the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture. Known to be former president Jacob Zuma's 'bagman', he should not be in government. Neither he nor Simelane or others are likely to be sacrificed, because corruption is embedded in the ANC. This is evident in allegations against the chief whip of the Johannesburg council, ANC councillor Sithembiso Zungu. ALSO READ: 'Long overdue' – Opposition parties welcome Nkabane's removal He is accused of using construction mafia tactics to disrupt a R135 million school-building project in Lehae in Johannesburg south. In 2019, Zungu was reportedly sentenced to two months' imprisonment for violating a court interdict barring him from disrupting construction on a housing project. Construction mafia, masquerading as business forums, use intimidation to extort money from those who are awarded tenders. The going rate is 30%, in exchange for which they do nothing useful. When I encounter them in my ward, the police are called. Not so in Zungu's ward 122. According to News24, he chaired a local business forum before becoming a councillor. His positions as an ANC branch chair, zone 2 secretary, ward 122 councillor and Johannesburg council chief whip tell us much about the party's priorities. The ANC knew his history as a business forum chair – and all that entails – when they selected him as ward councillor candidate in 2021. By elevating him to chief whip of council, they seem to have endorsed extortion. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa fires Nobuhle Nkabane, appoints new higher education minister Business mafia extortion is a massive issue nationally. In 2023 amaBhungane said construction mafia were 'characterised by entrepreneurial violence, links to the criminal underworld and to the ANC's radical economic transformation faction'. Since last year, it has been a top priority for DA Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson. In March, he said 745 construction-related extortion cases had been reported and 240 arrests made since November 2024. Even if Ramaphosa were a saint with the courage of a braveheart, he would not be able to clean up the ANC. But he is no brave saint. He is a timid, BEE-made billionaire who stashes foreign currency in his furniture. ALSO READ: R10k just to show up: Fear of 'Nkabane 2.0' as ANC Youth League leaders get hospital board positions For mafiosos, ANC remains a haven of Absolutely No Consequences.
Eyewitness News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Ramaphosa's cabinet scandals and the collapse of credible leadership
Judith February 11 July 2025 | 9:26 Government of national unity (GNU) Cyril Ramaphosa FILE: President Cyril Ramaphosa at the first day of the Police Summit held at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Johannesburg on 8 April 2025. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/EWN President Ramaphosa's decision to fire DA deputy minister of Trade Industry and Competition Andrew Whitfield for travelling abroad without permission was followed by the inevitable melodrama of 'will they (the DA) or won't they' leave the GNU? In the end, we heard that the DA was not leaving the GNU but it would not be part of the National Dialogue, convened by Ramaphosa and it would not vote in favour of corrupt ministers' budgets. On the National Dialogue scheduled for 15 August, it is hard to understand what a National Dialogue held in one day will achieve. After all, we understand our challenges very well and South Africans, being as loud and cacophonous as we are and thanks to our free press, are able to document our travails very we need is action – the right prescription, however. 15 August is likely to be a mishmash of 'rainbowism' (from our beloved sporting heroes) with everything but the kitchen sink thrown in was in fact the dialogue coalition partners ought to have had prior to forming the GNU. Granted there was not the luxury of time but the reason the GNU keeps faltering is because its strategy and goals have been unclear from the action our country needs must come, primarily, from our inert President. But, far be it from Ramaphosa to take on anything thorny or difficult. His cabinet reads a little like a Rogues' Gallery, in parts. Where to start? Allegations swirl around Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, minister in the Presidency who for some reason seems to have the President's ear- she is being investigated by the Hawks for 'what a judge called a 'repugnant and devastating' tender awarded during her tenure as municipal manager of the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality.' In addition to allegations of corruption, Ntshavheni has also shown herself comfortable using xenophobic rhetoric. Since last year serious allegations related to VBS bank corruption have been reported against minister Thembi Simelane. Simelane was the mayor of Polokwane between 2014 and 2021 and was appointed as justice minister in July 2024. Her appearance before Parliament about alleged corrupt activities left more questions than answers. If the allegations are true, she would have been party to the VBS scam which was a crime against the poorest in our despite repeated calls for her removal, Ramaphosa simply moved her from Justice and Constitutional Development to take up the position of Human settlements minister in December 2024. What a travesty. Presumably Ramaphosa believes the poor, desperate for housing, deserve a minister with a cloud of corruption over her the spat about Whitfield was continuing, Gayton McKenzie, minister of Sports Arts and Culture was mouthing off on social media in defence of Ramaphosa's decision. Ramaphosa turned a blind eye to McKenzie's xenophobic comments just weeks earlier when, while addressing the chairpersons and CEOs of all Department of Sport, Arts and Culture entities – including museums, theatres and heritage and funding agencies, he launched into an attack on 'foreigners' in South Africa. A large grouping of civil society organisations has called McKenzie's remarks, 'vulgar', in a statement released on 20 May McKenzie, who has said that he is eyeing the Presidency (we should be concerned about this given some by-election results and the global trend towards populism), also threatened to 'shut down' the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation. Since our passive President has not acted against McKenzie's menacing comments against civil society and his illegal pronouncements against government entities, we must assume that these comments represent the GNU he leads. In addition, allegations of corruption have been levelled against McKenzie in the past week after his son's purchase of a SuperSport United's PSL can be surprised that McKenzie is now emboldened in his base conduct? After all, Ramaphosa knew that McKenzie was a corrupt xenophobe when he asked him to join his cabinet. Yet, he remains, representing and embarrassing our country both here and abroad. But in South Africa there is always more. While the Whitfield matter reared its head, Minister of Higher Education, Nobuhle Nkabane was facing serious 'allegations of corruption, misleading Parliament and making political appointments to the boards of Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas). Sasco president Alungile Kamtshe has also called for her removal, yet the President has been unmoved and the ANC has defended Nkabane. Compounding Ramaphosa's challenges, on Sunday Lieutenant -General Mkhwanazi, Kwa-Zulu-Natal Police Commissioner made damning allegations against the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu in essence claiming he is in cahoots with criminals. He also cited WhatsApp exchanges which implicate the minister, senior law enforcement officials as well as members of the judiciary in Gauteng. Who is to know exactly where the truth lies in a country used to politicians in bed with all manner of criminals? Mchunu has issued various blanket the very least, the allegations show serious divisions between the minister, a powerful regional commissioner and the broader Police service. At worst it represents an attack on the democratic state and the rule of law. No South African can feel safer or more comforted after the President's statement. In fact, quite the opposite. The corruption and dysfunction run deep within our police structures and ordinary citizens are the casualties (literally) in a country with levels of crime which are completely out of control. The social contract has been broken and only concerted effort will fix things. The President was driven to make a statement about this matter from Brazil, where he was attending a BRICS meeting. Both his and the ANC's statements were bland with the Presidency now announcing an address to the nation on Sunday evening. Quite where that leaves us, only time will tell. Will the President act on the Mchunu allegations and use Sunday evening's announcement as the opportunity to clean out his cabinet? Or, will he, as he has throughout his Presidency, put party above country by acceding to ministers in crucial portfolios who have not properly answered the serious allegations of corruption against them? Their presence in powerful positions is a threat to the rule of law and undermines whatever confidence citizens have in government. But firing rogue ministers would mean that Ramaphosa would have to take on some powerful forces within his own party. He has repeatedly shown that he does not have the stomach for that, instead preferring to warm the seat of power, while stepping back from his responsibility to protect and defend the constitution, or take important decisions on the economy, for that matter. Early on in his Presidency when goodwill from business and civil society towards him was at its highest, South Africa having endured a decade of state capture's nightmare, Ramaphosa chose to squander that goodwill and a rare opportunity for a whole-of-society effort to reclaim our country. Instead his gaze was on the unfixable ANC. So, no National Dialogue will help the President grow a spine to do what is needed, no National Dialogue will convince South Africans that we have a president who is willing to expend his political capital (such as it is) in the interests of the country. Instead there will be more grinning photo-ops on a 'feel-good' will, no doubt be interspersed with those attending who hold earnest intentions to improve the socio-economic conditions in our country and who understand that ever-increasing unemployment, a fraying social fabric and deepening inequality are a danger to democracy. But that cannot address the leadership vacuum this President leaves. If Ramaphosa wants to lead with conviction, he needs to make some unpopular decisions. That is how one saves a country.
eNCA
02-07-2025
- Business
- eNCA
R730-million of looted VBS money recovered
JOHANNESBURG - At least R730-million out of billions of rands looted from the defunct VBS Mutula Bank has been recovered, according to the Prudential Authority's last report. The bank was liquidated in 2018 after 'The Great Bank Heist' report uncovered financial mismanagement. Around R2,3-billion was siphoned. The Prudential Authority says its focus is to claw back the remainder of the money for the benefit of creditors. Municipalities and pensioners had invested in the bank. Twenty-nine cases have been initiated as a result of criminal activities at VBS.
