Steenhuisen stands by DA's decision to pull out of upcoming National Dialogue
With the cost to hold the dialogue projected to exceed R700 million, Steenhuisen insists the DA will not back an initiative which he believes squanders public money.
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IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
DA's exit from National Dialogue ‘political point-scoring,' and undermines the GNU, Says SACP
SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila. Tensions rise as the SACP accuses the DA of undermining stability within the Government of National Unity. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers The attitude of the DA of withdrawal from the upcoming National Dialogue is part of its general strategy to 'weaponise' government processes and its membership of the GNU to score political points for its own benefit. This is according to the South African Communist Party that noted the challenges between the ANC and the DA as key role players in the GNU with concern. 'Although the position of the SACP towards the current configuration of the GNU has consistently been that of principled criticism, it is still our view that political instability in the working of government is undesirable and does not serve in any way the citizens of the country that await leadership and services from government,' SACP spokesperson Mbulelo Mandlana told IOL News. Mandlana said the SACP believes that a sustainable political solution must be found for a stable political environment. SACP's general secretary Solly Mapaila has been a vocal critic of the GNU, which includes the DA, arguing that it does not represent the interests of black people. After its long criticism, the SACP has since announced that it will contest the upcoming 2026 local government elections independently, but not leaving the tripartite alliance would the ANC and COSATU. However, the ANC has pushed back against this move. 'For the SACP the alliance political platform remains the most suitable mechanism to unpack the challenges in the GNU and build a shared strategy and lasting solutions to the challenges facing the government,' Mandlana said. 'The South African revolution can ill-afford a continued instability or appearance of instability in its government administration.' This comes after the DA recently announced its withdrawal from the National Dialogue, just days after President Cyril Ramaphosa fired former deputy minister Andrew Whitfield, for travelling to the US without the president's permission. IOL News previously reported that former President Mbeki, in a 10 page open letter, criticised the DA for its decision to withdraw from the upcoming National Dialogue, calling the move 'misplaced and very strange', and accused the DA of acting 'against its own very direct interests.' However, DA leader John Steenhuisen has hit back at Mbeki's criticism, saying that the party would not participate in what he described as "another expensive talk shop" that would do nothing to improve people's lives. 'You sought my indulgence and now I must ask that you commit time for me to explain the DA's decision to stay away from yet another enormously expensive process that will predictably involve a lot of talking, but do nothing to advance open, transparent and corruption-free governance that South Africans so desperately desire,' Steenhuisen said. Steenhuisen also pointed out what he called a 'double standard' in how ANC ministers have been treated compared to the DA's deputy minister, Whitfield. He also criticised the dialogue's timing and origins, pointing out that Mbeki only called for it after the ANC's poor showing in recent elections. Suggesting it was a political move to regain lost support. Asked about the DA's stance, Mandlana said the SACP is also concerned about the recent changes to the National Dialogue, including Mbeki's withdrawal from the preparatory process. 'We believe these changes will not serve the objective of a truly transformational, inclusive and effective dialogue that leads to change instead it is a recipe for a government inclined process with bureaucratic characteristics with no popular and people centred outcomes.' Mandlana said the DA's actions reflect a broader political strategy. 'The attitude of the DA towards the National Dialogue, including its threat of withdrawal from it, are part of its general strategy to weaponise government processes and its membership of the GNU to score political points for its own benefit with little to no regard for the consequences of its actions the people of South Africa,' he told IOL News. [email protected] IOL Politics
Eyewitness News
2 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
ANC notes Mkhwanazi's allegations with grave concern
JOHANNESBURG - Following jaw-dropping revelations by KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the African National Congress (ANC) said it has noted the allegations with grave concern. Mkhwanazi places one of the former liberation movement's employees, Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, at the heart of attempts to sabotage police investigations. ALSO READ: - DA wants urgent debate in Parliament about corruption allegations within the SAPS - ANC says allegations against the police minister doesn't warrant NEC discussion Mkhwanazi has since registered a criminal complaint against Mchunu, who he said has put his political aspirations above his ministerial duties. The ANC has assured that President Cyril Ramaphosa is dealing with the matter. With the scene already set for what is slowly shaping up to be a bruising battle to find a successor for Ramaphosa when his term of office as head of the ANC ends, the police have now seemingly entered the fray. Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of having an ulterior motive in his decision to disband the KZN political killings unit. Mkhwanazi said at least 121 dockets have been taken away from the team since March. He also said there's proof a recipient of South African Police Service (SAPS) tenders funds the minister and his associates. Mchunu has been police minister for just a year. The police minister's name is also being bandied about in political circles as one of those with ambitions to become the next ANC president. The ANC's Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the allegations are worrying. 'These matters go to the core of public confidence in the rule of law and the integrity of our institutions. The ANC is assured that President Cyril Ramaphosa is attending to this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.' She said the ANC reaffirms its commitment to the principles of accountability, justice, and protection of all South Africans. MK PARTY AND EFF LAUD MKHWANAZI The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and the EFF have lauded Mkhwanazi as they join calls for action to be taken against Mchunu and deputy national commissioner for crime detection Shadrack Sibiya. Mkhwanazi implicated the pair in startling revelations on Sunday, labelling them as key allies of a powerful organised criminal syndicate. The KZN police commissioner claimed Mchunu's move to disband the KZN political killings task team was aimed at protecting criminals and sabotaging police investigations. The MK Party and the EFF have come out strongly batting for Mkhwanazi. The MK Party is also demanding that charges of defeating the ends of justice be laid against Mchunu and Sibiya. Meanwhile, the EFF, in expressing grave concern over an alleged syndicate that's infiltrated the entire justice system, said Mchunu must be fired. 'This level of coordination, resourcing, and political protection confirms the EFF's long-held view that the ANC-led government has become a breeding ground for a mafia state, where political office is used not to serve the people, but to shield criminals and extract public wealth,' said EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo. The minister said SAPS will apply its mind and respond to the allegations in due time.
Eyewitness News
2 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
State expected to present final charge sheet in R27 million corruption case involving Mabe
JOHANNESBURG - The State is expected to present the final charge sheet in the R27 million corruption case involving former African National Congress (ANC) national spokesperson Pule Mabe. Mabe, along with six others, will be appearing at the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Palm Ridge on Monday morning. They are charged with several counts of fraud, money laundering and contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act. The charges relate to a 2017 tender scored by Mabe's company, Enviro Mobi, to supply 200 three-wheeler motorbikes to waste pickers in the City of Ekurhuleni. READ: Pule Mabe's lawyers claim there are 'errors' in NPA's draft charge sheet It's been nine months since Mabe, and his co-accused made their first court appearance. During that time, Mabe has effectively paused his political career. His legal representative, Zola Majavu, said the former member of Parliament (MP) is unhappy with the delays in the case. 'He's not very happy but he doesn't locate himself above the law. It's not a nice thing to be subjected to court processes with your wife. The toll is taking on them. It's unbearable but that is how the legal cookie crumbles and they have to stick it out like everybody else.' At this stage, it's common knowledge that the Gauteng government paid the full amount for the three-wheeler bikes, however, not all of them were delivered. All seven accused have indicated they intend to plead not guilty.
