Latest news with #VisvinReddy
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
South Africa, you have blood on your hands
Enough of the excuses. Enough of the failures. Enough of the empty promises, says Visvin Reddy. Image: Pixabay/File A four-year-old girl has been murdered. Not by a stranger in a dark alley. Not by some faceless predator. But by the very people who were supposed to love and protect her – allegedly her own parents. She died in a hospital bed, her small body broken, her innocence stolen, just hours after her parents appeared in the Protea Magistrate's Court. Her father stands accused of rape and murder. Her mother stands accused of allowing this evil to happen. And we, South Africa, stand accused of letting it get this far. Where were we when she needed us? Don't pretend you didn't hear the cries - because they weren't just hers. They were the cries of thousands of abused children across our country whose pleas for help are drowned out by the noise of corruption, political games, and a society too numb to care until it's too late. This child's death is not an isolated tragedy - it is a mirror held up to our collective rot. Where were the neighbours? The teachers? The clinic nurses? The social workers? The police? Where were you? We have become a country where people look away, where child protection services are underfunded, understaffed, and overwhelmed. And because of that cowardice and neglect, a little girl has paid with her life. 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 ✕ No mercy for the guilty Let's be clear: If found guilty, the father and mother of this child do not deserve mercy. They do not deserve excuses. They deserve the harshest punishment our laws allow. Life sentences without parole should be the starting point - not the exception. And to the justice system: spare us the delays, the procedural games, the endless remands. South Africa has watched too many child-killers and child-rapists walk free on 'technicalities.' If the courts fail here, they will be complicit in telling every predator in this country: 'You can get away with it.' Five immediate actions we must take If this country is serious about protecting children, here's what must happen - now: 1. Mandatory, enforced reporting Every teacher, nurse, doctor, neighbour - anyone - who suspects abuse must report it immediately. Failure to do so should result in jail time. 2. Special child Protection Courts Dedicated courts to handle cases of child abuse and sexual violence, ensuring they are prioritised, fast-tracked, and handled by trained prosecutors. 3. Fully funded social services We can't keep paying ministers millions while social workers carry 150 cases each. Fund them properly or admit you don't care about our children. 4. Community child watch networks Every ward, every street committee, every church, mosque, and temple must set up a child safety network. We need eyes and ears in every neighbourhood. 5. National registry of child abusers Accessible to schools, creches, and the public—because predators hide in plain sight, often moving to new areas to start again. Stop the politician's tears When the cameras roll, the politicians will come with their crocodile tears and their promises of 'an investigation.' Save it. We've heard it all before. Remember Baby Daniel? Courtney Pieters? The countless other children whose names never made the news? Where are their justice reforms? Where is the political will? It is not enough to mourn the dead while doing nothing to protect the living. The truth is simple: children in South Africa are not safe, and they will never be safe until protecting them becomes a national emergency, not an afterthought. A challenge to every South African This is not just the government's problem - it's our problem. You see bruises on a child? Speak. You hear screaming in the night? Call the police. You suspect abuse? Report it and follow up. Silence is complicity. Looking away is aiding the abuser. If you did nothing when you could have acted, you share the guilt. She deserved better At four years old, she should have been learning to draw, to sing, to play in the sun - not fighting for her life in a hospital bed after unimaginable violence. She should have been loved. She should have been safe. She should have grown up. But she never got the chance - because a country that boasts about its Constitution and 'child rights' couldn't protect her when it mattered. Let this be the last time If her death does not change us - if it does not shake us from our complacency - then she will have died for this be the case that forces South Africa to finally say: enough. Enough of the excuses. Enough of the failures. Enough of the empty promises. The blood of this little girl is on the hands of her killers - but it stains all of us if we do nothing. May her name be remembered not just in grief, but in action. May every child after her live in a country where monsters are stopped before they strike. And may we never again have to write another editorial like this. Visvin Reddy Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers Visvin Reddy is an uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) MP and writes in his personal capacity ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. THE POST
IOL News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Visvin Reddy referred to Disciplinary Committee over 'Pemmy must go' outburst in Parliament
Powers and Privileges Committee acts on Visvin Reddy's conduct, referring him to the Disciplinary Committee. He was was ejected from the National Assembly after leading chants for Minister Majodina's resignation amid national water concerns. The Powers and Privileges Committee has referred MK Party Member of Parliament (MP) Visvin Reddy to Parliament's Disciplinary Committee following his conduct during a heated National Assembly (NA) sitting on March 4, 2025. This comes after Reddy was ordered to leave the chamber for repeatedly shouting, 'Pemmy must go,' in a call for Water Minister Pemmy Majodina's removal amid a worsening national water crisis. The committee, chaired by Weziwe Tikana-Gxotiwe, said that while Reddy's conduct did not constitute contempt of Parliament under Section 12 of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, it did amount to misconduct. Tikana-Gxotiwe said the matter was referred to the committee by the Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) in terms of rule 214 of the NA Rules. ' 'The committee will table its report to the NA for consideration.''
Zawya
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Powers and Privileges Committee Refers Mr Visvin Reddy's Matter to Parliamentary Disciplinary Committee
The Powers and Privileges Committee this afternoon resolved to refer the matter, at the request of the Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), relating to the conduct of Mr Visvin Reddy during the sitting of the 4 March 2025, to Parliament's Disciplinary Committee. The committee agreed that although Mr Reddy's actions do not constitute contempt of Parliament as per Section 12 of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, his actions do constitute misconduct. The matter was referred to the committee by the Speaker of the National Assembly in terms of rule 214 of the NA Rules. The committee will table its report to the NA for consideration. The committee also considered another matter referred by the Speaker relating to the conduct of Mr Marlon Daniels on 2 April 2025. The committee resolved to proceed with a formal inquiry to determine, through oral evidence, whether Mr Daniels' actions constituted contempt of Parliament in terms of the Act and NA Rules. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
IOL News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Residents suffer as eThekwini Municipality diverts water to industries
MKP Parliament member Visvin Reddy (right) and African Democratic Change eThekwini councillor Niel Patchapen ( left) led a water protest in Queensburgh Image: supplied Umkhonto weSizwe Party member of Parliament, Visvin Reddy, and African Democratic Change eThekwini Municipality councillor, Niel Patchapen, have accused the City of prioritising profit over the lives of Queensburgh and Shallcross residents by diverting 70% of water meant for residential areas to industries in the area. The two leaders recently led a protest at the gate of several industries south west of the City demanding that the City reduce water supply to companies and distribute it evenly. Reddy, a former eThekwini councillor, said the water crisis in Queensburgh, Northdene, Malvern, Escombe, Shallcross, and surrounding areas has reached catastrophic levels – and the truth can no longer be hidden that corporate greed, municipal negligence, and political betrayal are to blame. 'For close to 300 days, residents have had no consistent water supply. They rely on erratic and often non-existent water tankers, while watching a certain company's new plant consume over 50% of the entire area's water – a fact recently confirmed by Head of Water, Ednick Msweli. This is a grotesque injustice that exposes the eThekwini Municipality's shocking failure to prioritize its people,' said Reddy He said among the hardest hit are vulnerable institutions like Cheshire Homes, where residents living with disabilities have been left to suffer in undignified conditions with no water, adding this is more than neglect but a shameful indictment of a city administration that has lost its soul. 'The municipality instead of protecting the people chose to protect profits. The MK Party stands firmly with the Northdene Water Crisis Committee and calls for Immediate rationing of water to industries and accountability for those who approved this reckless expansion,' concludes Reddy. Councillor Patchapen said this is not just a water crisis, it is a moral crisis where the poor are being sacrificed so the rich can profit. This is a betrayal of the highest order, and the silence of the eThekwini coalition government is complicit in the suffering. 'We say no more. eThekwini belongs to its people, not to corporate interests. As a PR councillor representing the residents of Northdene, Queensburgh, Escombe, Malvern, Shallcross, Chatsworth, and surrounding areas—I am compelled to speak out against what appears to be the commercialisation of a basic human right: water,' said Patchapen. The councillor called for an independent audit of water infrastructure, consumption, capacity, and leak-related losses across affected suburbs as well as an immediate moratorium on further industrial use of the reservoir until residential needs are met. 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 ✕
IOL News
30-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
The VAT betrayal: How South Africa's political charlatans sold out the people
Visvin Reddy Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers WHEN the African National Congress (ANC) announced plans to increase Value-Added Tax (VAT) in 2025, it struck a dagger into the heart of every struggling South African. VAT — a tax that punishes the poor for simply surviving — was once again being weaponised to protect the rich and punish the working class. Today, the so-called "leaders" of South Africa's political parties stand exposed, naked before the nation, stripped of their empty rhetoric and false promises. The VAT saga has laid bare their treachery, their hypocrisy, and their unforgivable betrayal of the very people they swore to serve. The Real Impact of VAT on the Poor Let's be clear: VAT is not just another tax. It is a tax on survival. When government raises VAT, it increases the price of bread, milk, school shoes, and bus fare — essentials that millions of South Africans already struggle to afford. VAT doesn't ask if you are rich or poor. It strikes hardest at the empty pockets of the working class, pensioners, and the unemployed. In a country where over 18 million people depend on social grants, unemployment has soared to over 32%, more than 55% of citizens live below the poverty line, a VAT increase is economic violence. And yet, knowing all this, the ANC still proposed a VAT increase of up to 3% in internal discussions — a brutal attack on the most vulnerable. Only a massive public outcry and the ANC's weakened position in Parliament — thanks largely to the rise of the MK Party — forced them to reduce the immediate increase to 0.5%. If Not for MK, VAT Would Have Increased Without a Fight Had the ANC still held its old majority, the VAT increase would have sailed through Parliament unchallenged. Let the nation remember this: It was the entry of the MK Party into Parliament that weakened the ANC's iron grip. It was the voice of the masses, echoed by MK MPs, that forced this government to at least slow down its assault on the even then, the betrayal was only beginning. The Fiscal Framework Farce When the Fiscal Framework, the blueprint for government spending, including the VAT increase, came before Parliament, the ANC desperately needed allies. They found them among parties that had loudly campaigned against the ANC, sworn never to work with the ANC, and claimed to stand for the people. Yet when the moment of truth arrived, ActionSA, BOSA (Build One South Africa), Rise Mzansi, Gayton Mackenzie's Patriotic Alliance, and others stood not with the people. but with the ANC. In a narrow vote, the Fiscal Framework was adopted, giving life to the VAT increase. These so-called opposition parties handed the ANC a knife and pointed it at the neck of the poor. ActionSA, a party that had thundered against ANC corruption and mismanagement, voted for the ANC's Fiscal Framework. BOSA, led by the so-called "new hope" Mmusi Maimane, voted with the ANC. Rise Mzansi, the party that brands itself as the future, voted for a future with higher VAT and deeper poverty. Gayton Mackenzie, who styles himself as a man of the people, handed the ANC the majority it needed. The Great Lie: "The Fiscal Framework Had Nothing to Do with VAT" When caught, these parties scrambled to spin a narrative so ridiculous it insults the intelligence of every South African. They claimed: "We voted for the Fiscal Framework, but it had nothing to do with VAT. "Lies. Blatant, shameless lies. The Fiscal Framework explicitly includes the assumptions and parameters for government revenue — including the VAT increase. It is the foundational document that dictates taxes, spending, and borrowing. Without the Fiscal Framework being adopted, the VAT increase had no legislative path forward. Today, the Western Cape High Court confirmed what any honest politician already knew: The Fiscal Framework contained the VAT increase. The court set aside the adoption of the Framework and suspended the VAT hike, exposing the lies told to the people. The spin has failed. The betrayal stands naked before us. The Reality Voters Must Never Forget South Africans must remember this treachery. Remember that these parties made public pledges and broke them when it mattered most. Remember that in the corridors of Parliament, when faced with a choice between standing with the people or kneeling before the ANC, they chose to kneel. They are not opposition parties. They are political charlatans. They are the ANC's convenient enablers, eager for scraps from the table of power. The tragedy of South Africa is not just a corrupt ruling party. It is an entire political class — old and new — that talks revolution during elections but practices betrayal in Parliament. A Systemic Betrayal This is not a once-off event. It is a symptom of a deeper sickness: A political elite more interested in self-preservation than public service. A culture of spin doctors, legal loopholes, and manufactured consent. An economy managed for the rich, subsidised by the poor. And VAT is just the beginning. Behind every act of betrayal today lurks the threat of more taxes on the working class, more protection for monopolies and billionaires, and more lies dressed up as governance. MK Party: A Different Road In this sea of betrayal, the MK Party has stood firm. From the outset, MK MPs opposed the Fiscal Framework, exposed the hidden VAT increase, and demanded that the burden of fixing the economy be placed where it belongs: on the backs of the wealthy, not the poor. Tax the billionaires. Tax the monopolies. Nationalise key industries. Use the wealth of the country for its people, not for its elite. That is the road to freedom. Not endless VAT hikes. Not squeezing pensioners and single mothers to please global markets and local oligarchs. The Final Verdict: Voters Must Choose South Africa is at a crossroads. The mask has slipped. The lies have been exposed. In the next election — and every election to come — South Africans must remember who voted for higher VAT. They must remember who lied to them. And they must punish every political party and every political opportunist who chose betrayal over bravery. Never again must we vote for cowards in nice suits. Never again must we trust smooth talkers who sell us out behind closed doors. Never again must we allow political charlatans to dictate the destiny of our children. The VAT saga is a warning. Let us heed it. DAILY NEWS
