Tackling 2026 poll strategy, economic challenges
The four-day meeting of the party's highest decision-making body is the first in four months.
On the agenda is the 2026 local government election strategy and economic resilience.
It comes as US President Donald Trump's 30 percent tariffs on South African goods comes into effect.
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The South African
31 minutes ago
- The South African
Warning: SA 'refugees' will be DEPORTED over lies, ommissions
South African 'refugees' who resettle in the US will face deportation if authorities discover they have lied or omitted important information during their application process. Errol Langton, one of the first successful applicants, made the revelation in an interview marking his first three months in his adoptive country. Langton – an IT technician and 'leafy green farmer' – is now living in Alabama. In February, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order, granting refuge to Afrikaners or 'minorities', over his claims of 'racial discrimination' in South Africa. Speaking to US intel expert Chris Wyatt, Afrikaner 'refugee' Errol Langton shared his experience on applying to the resettlement programme. The IT businessman shared that authorities had explicitly warned them not to lie or omit any critical information. He said: 'They made it very clear that if they do find that something was a lie or significant enough, you can be deported. 'Afrikaner refugee' Errol Langton has shared an update about his life in the US. Images via YouTube screenshot He added: 'Don't try to embellish or blow it up to more than it was. Tell simple, straightforward facts'. Wyatt added that 'acts of omission' could also have serious implications. In April, the US Embassy warned South African visa applicants: 'If you submit fake documents, you are committing fraud and risking your future. We stay one step ahead of document vendors and adapt to emerging threats.' It added: 'Protect your future travel opportunities – tell the truth and do not provide fake documents.' The US Embassy has updated its refugee status programme application and announced that communication will be coordinated by RSC Africa, which manages all US-bound applicants from Africa. Applicants must fill in a statement of interest form, detailing how they are 'persecuted' or fear threats of persecution. This will be based on several factors, including race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a social group. Applicants will be called in for an interview, which could take place in either Sandton or Tshwane. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
March on March Movement to Take Legal Action Against Illegal Occupants of RDP Houses
KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma addresses rising concerns over the illegal sale of RDP houses in KwaZulu-Natal, urging community cooperation to combat criminal activities and protect vulnerable families. Image: File The March on March movement is preparing to launch legal proceedings against illegal occupants of RDP houses in Inqutu, northern KwaZulu-Natal, following reports of hijackings affecting the properties of two elderly women. The organisation's spokesperson, Xolani Zuma, emphasised that this intervention was crucial in protecting the housing rights of South African citizens. "These homes, part of the government's Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), were created to assist individuals in need." Zuma stressed the importance of ensuring that these provisions were not exploited. 'The movement will be writing to the MEC on Monday to escalate the matter, which was first reported to the police on Friday during our march,' he explained. In conversations with the affected women, the movement learned how their homes were overtaken, a situation amplified by the involvement of illegal immigrants allegedly collaborating with some South African citizens. 'We are alarmed by this blatant disregard for our elderly citizens,' said Zuma. 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 ✕ Ndabezinhle Sibiya, spokesperson for KZN's Department of Human Settlements, confirmed the troublesome criminal conduct in the community. 'We have received a complaint from March on March, and we are fully committed to working alongside them and various communities to root out such criminals. It is illegal to sell RDP houses, and we are taking strong action,' Sibiya affirmed. The MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, said in a recent statement, that his department was committed to decisive action against any form of criminality that disrupted the lives of innocent community members. 'We are building houses for South Africans who are in need of shelter, not for the generation of profit by greedy and irresponsible individuals,' Duma said. Encouraging public support, he called on the people of KZN to unite in a visible display of disapproval against the misuse of RDP houses and warned off repercussions for the perpetrators. 'It is a criminal offence to sell an RDP house within the first eight years of ownership without proper permission from the Department of Human Settlements. Those who violate these rules will forfeit their houses.' Duma reassured the community that his department will rigorously collaborate with law enforcement to ensure stability within human settlements. He reiterated the procedure for beneficiaries looking to sell their properties after the eight-year threshold, emphasising the department's responsibility to manage these units effectively for the benefit of those in need. Duma affirmed the department's commitment to work alongside prominent bodies, including the South African Human Rights Commission and the Public Protector, in ensuring every complaint regarding the illicit use of RDP houses was thoroughly investigated and actioned. The influx of illegal and undocumented immigrants into the country has been rife and a cause for concern for authorities. During a media briefing yesterday, the Border Management Authority's (BMA) commissioner, Doctor Michael Masiapato, revealed that approximately 10,000 illegal immigrants were intercepted by border guards in the first quarter of 2025/26. Masiapato stated that out of the 10,000 illegal immigrants arrested, 5,826 were undocumented, 2,127 were inadmissible, and 2,001 were deemed undesirable.
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
ANC NEC meeting to discuss US tariffs 'will not resolve Trump's beef with the party'
Political analysts say the ANC National Executive Committee is wasting its time in discussing the US 30% tariff imposed on South Africa's exports. Image: File Picture Political analysts warn that the ANC is unlikely to resolve its differences with the US over the impending 30% tariff on South African exports, as the party held its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Johannesburg at the weekend. The tariff is expected to take effect on August 7, as announced by the Trump administration on Thursday. South Africa is the only country from sub-Saharan Africa singled out in the announcement, reflecting the US's strained relationship with Pretoria. Other African nations, including Lesotho and Zimbabwe, have been hit with a 15% tariff, which will also come into effect in seven days. The decision is a huge blow to South Africa, as the US is its second-biggest trading partner and comes despite trying to agree a trade deal with the US, which included buying US liquefied natural gas, simplifying rules for poultry imports and investing in US industries like mining. 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 ✕ On Saturday, ANC NEC member Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa told journalists that there had been a focused discussion on the US tariffs, describing it as 'spirited and robust'. Ramokgopa said the negotiations between South Africa and the US were ongoing, adding that both countries would be able to find each other. However, political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu said although the NEC was expected to talk about the issue, there is not much that the ANC can do. He said Trump was not happy with many things including domestic and foreign policies. 'The ANC needs to figure out how to deal with generally hostile Republican administrations, and the Trump administration, in particular. Trump's beef with the ANC centres around domestic and foreign policies. On the domestic front, Trump is unhappy with the Expropriation bill, BEE and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). "On foreign policy, Trump is bitter about the decision to take Israel to the ICJ (International Court of Justice),'' Ndlovu said, adding that the time has come for the ANC to stop confusing its interests as the country's interests. 'I don't see the ANC coming up with any solution here. It is caught between a rock and a hard place,'' he said. US-South Africa relations have hit rock-bottom since Trump took office in January. The US President stopped all aid to South Africa, accusing it of discriminating against its white minority. South Africa has repeatedly denied this. Ramaphosa held talks with Trump in May in a bid to mend relations but this failed to make any headway. In July, the US House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a bill to review the US-South Africa relations due to objections over its foreign policy and potentially imposing sanctions on senior ANC leaders. The bill accuses the ANC of undermining US interests by maintaining close relationships with Russia and China, which are among its allies and trading partners. It also accuses South Africa of backing Palestinian militant group Hamas in its conflict in Gaza with Israel- an accusation South Africa has denied. Last week, Trump indicated he did not plan to attend the G20 summit taking place later this year in Johannesburg. Another political analyst, Ntsikelelo Breakfast, said the ANC is wasting time discussing the tariff imposed by the US, adding that there is nothing the party can do to avoid the situation. 'There is no way out here. The European Union (EU) signed for 15% this week, and who are we if the EU can give in. I thought we were able to convince Trump and his administration after the meeting in May but clearly Trump did not buy it and now there is legislation to sanction ANC leaders, said Breakfast, adding that this means Trump has taken a hard stance towards South Africa and the ANC. Breakfast said that Trump's threat to skip the G20 summit also cemented his position about South Africa, saying 'this is a smack in the face'. Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe said the US's quarrel with South Africa goes beyond the alleged white genocide and that an appreciation of the basis of the quarrel would help in the crafting of an appropriate response. 'No amount of public relations exercise or photo opportunities that Ramaphosa loves so much will resolve South Africa's varied problems,' he said.
