Latest news with #BantuHolomisa
The Citizen
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: ‘Cyril must fall' march
Here's your daily news update for Thursday, 17 July 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. In the news today, several civil movements have announced that they will commemorate Mandela Day on the streets, demanding the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Bantu Holomisa, has seemingly shrugged off claims about a coup threat. Furthermore, US Grammy award-winning singer Lauryn Hill has been announced as the headline act for this year's Delicious Festival. Weather tomorrow: 18 July 2025 A yellow level 2 warning has been issued for damaging waves affecting small vessels between Alexander Bay and East London. Very cold conditions and scattered showers are expected in parts of the Eastern Cape. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. 'Cyril must fall': Organisations march against Ramaphosa to Union Buildings on Mandela Day Several civil movements have announced that they will commemorate Mandela Day on the streets, demanding the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa. The march, organised by Defend South Africa in collaboration with the United Civic Movements, is scheduled to start from the Old Putco Depot in Marabastad, Tshwane, at 10am and is destined for the Union Buildings. President Cyril Ramaphosa. Picture: GCIS Several organisations under the United Civic Movements will be joining the march. They will be marching against the rising costs, unemployment, uncontrolled illegal immigration, crime, corruption, Phala Phala scandal and the state of the South African National Defence Force, among other issues. CONTINUE READING: 'Cyril must fall': Organisations march against Ramaphosa to Union Buildings on Mandela Day 'A coup is not discussed on social media': Holomisa says no need to press panic buttons Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Bantu Holomisa, has seemingly shrugged off claims about a coup threat, amid growing conversations surrounding South Africa's national security. Minister in the Presidency responsible for State Security, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, disclosed this week that the security cluster had identified a 'potential risk' of a coup d'état. Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Bantu Holomisa. Picture: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach Speaking to the media at 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria on Thursday, Holomisa stressed that the security of the state remains a key priority. 'If there is anyone who has such plans, I think he or she is advised to stop that because it has been exposed. A coup is not discussed on social media, that's not a coup,' he said. CONTINUE READING: 'A coup is not discussed on social media': Holomisa says no need to press panic buttons Lauryn Hill and sons to headline 12th edition of Delicious Festival Fresh off her run of celebrating the 25th anniversary of her renowned album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, the US Grammy award-winning singer has been announced as the headline act for this year's Delicious Festival. Her set at the 12th edition of the festival will include her son, YG Marley and Zion Marley, her former lover and bandmate Wyclef Jean. Lauryn Hill will hadline the Delicious Festival this year. Picture:mslaurynhill/Instagram On Thursday afternoon, the festival announced that it would feature the multiple Grammy Award-winning artists alongside South African singer-songwriters Zoë Modiga and Mandisi Dyantyis, and gospel ensemble Joyous Celebration, in its lineup for the music festival. CONTINUE READING: Lauryn Hill and sons to headline 12th edition of Delicious Festival MPs asked to recuse themselves from Mkhwanazi police corruption allegations probe While there is a lack of trust among top leaders of the South African Police Service (Saps), parliamentarians tasked with investigating Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's claims are also at each other's throats. An explosive joint police, justice and constitutional development committee meeting on Wednesday escalated when a Freedom Front Plus MP suggested that National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams recuse himself from the investigation process, citing a conflict of interest. Chairperson of the portfolio committee on police Ian Cameron. Picture: X / @ParliamentZA The committees have been requested to investigate allegations of corruption and collusion in Saps. Adams opened several cases against crime intelligence generals and Brigadiers late last year. CONTINUE READING: MPs asked to recuse themselves from Mkhwanazi police corruption allegations probe Police shortcomings and employee-staff relations to blame for farm murders — report A parliamentary report into farm murders has made several recommendations on how to deal with violent rural crime. The report was the result of a petition by civil society groups that asked for an investigation into attacks on the farming community and its economic impact. Image for illustrative purposes. Picture: Gallo Images / Frennie Shivambu Police shortcomings were noted as contributors to rural crime, specifically poorly resourced rural policing units. The committee heard how only 40% of police vehicles were properly suited for the terrain they are expected to cover, and that no horseback units were available in some provinces. CONTINUE READING: Police shortcomings and employee-staff relations to blame for farm murders — report Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: 'Where's the coup proof?' | SA man arrested in US raid | Ackermann named Bulls boss
The Herald
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
UDM donates R300K to flood relief in Mthatha
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has donated R300,000 in flood relief to assist victims hit by devastating floods in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape last month. More than 100 bodies have been recovered from districts. OR Tambo remains the hardest hit with 78 fatalities, Amathole recorded 10, Alfred Nzo five, Joe Gqabi two, Sarah Baartman two and Chris Hani five. UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said the fund will be used to help victims buy basic essentials such as food and toiletries. 'We expect the amount to be stretched to assist as many people as possible and we trust the UDM committee and the communities' committee will exercise wise and responsible discretion in the spending of the funds,' he said in a letter to UDM provincial secretary Bulelani Bobotyane. 'A date for the distribution of the care packages must be determined and publicised to ensure community awareness. Receipts for all expenses must be collected and safely stored and the originals submitted to the UDM national office. The national office must be informed of the distribution plans before any handover taking place.' He said Butterworth victims will benefit from the proceeds of the Bantu Holomisa Charity Golf Day scheduled for August 22. A few weeks ago, the party donated clothes and food parcels to three centres for Mthatha flood victims. Several organisations and entities, including the National Lottery Commission, Gift of the Givers and the EFF, have pledged to donate to the Eastern Cape flood crisis. The Eastern Cape government has provided shelter, meals and necessities to families placed in community care centres and accommodation establishments in and around Mthatha. TimesLIVE
Eyewitness News
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Holomisa says SANDF not in a fit state to defend the country if it is attacked
JOHANNESBURG - Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa said that the military was not in a fit state to defend the country if attacked due to outdated equipment and underfunding. However, Holomisa said the country was currently not under any threat of being attacked. South Africa's military conducts regular threat analysis to determine whether the country is at risk of attack from foreign or domestic enemies. Speaking on the Clement Manyathela Show on 702, Holomisa said the July 2021 unrest and the recent floods in the Eastern Cape "embarrassed" the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). READ: Motshekga assures Parliament that SANDF capable of defending SA "Soldiers being carried by military buses going to a violent situation, it showed the defence equipment is obsolete. I cannot give another explanation, and if we were to be attacked, yes, we would respond, but I am not that confident about the state of readiness of the SANDF. Let us not mislead the people. I am not here to spin, but I must tell you the truth." Holomisa said that part of the problem was that the military was not being properly funded. "Every (defence) minister I can think of, they have been complaining since time immemorial that the defence is declining. How many defence reviews have been produced and the National Treasury has just ignored? They even ignored the president in 2023, who said, the budget of defence must move from 0.57% of the GDP to 1.5% of the GDP."
The Citizen
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Mission impossible for broke SANDF
The SANDF is too underfunded to operate helicopters or protect borders, leaving citizens dangerously exposed. As a former military man, Bantu Holomisa must feel intensely frustrated in his current position as deputy minister of defence as he presides over the slow-motion collapse of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF). His boss, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga, seems to think our military is still capable of defending the country. But against what, she does not say. If she is thinking we would be safe from attack from countries around us, then perhaps we might be able to see off Swaziland and Namibia… but Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia would be a different proposition, because all boast better equipped defence forces than we have. Holomisa says there is a lack of support from parliament, Cabinet and National Treasury in ensuring the SANDF gets adequate funding. The bottom line is that anyone who knows anything about military matters is in agreement: either the SANDF gets the money it needs for maintenance and upgrades, or its mission will have to be redefined. ALSO READ: 'We're bleeding but not finished': Motshekga defends struggling air force That our borders and coastline cannot be defended or protected at present is beyond question. But what has been emerging in recent months is the fact that, when the SANDF is required for its major role of 'support to the civil power' in emergency situations, for example… it cannot cope. In the recent floods in the Eastern Cape, the SA Air Force was unable to deploy rescue helicopters because, as news reports said, it did not have sufficient budget to pay flight engineers their flying allowance. There is no real airlift capacity to speak of, either, so troops and equipment have had to be transported to and from deployments in Africa by chartered aircraft. Worryingly, even if money is found now, it will take years to rectify the damage and acquire new systems, never mind maintenance to keep current assets operational. South Africans are, effectively, sitting ducks. NOW READ: Ten more SANDF members arrested in Hawks officer murder case
The Citizen
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Holomisa slams Cabinet and Treasury for crippling SANDF funding
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa says the SANDF is underfunded and underprepared for foreign deployments and disaster response. A former defence minister once revealed that 85% of the SA Air Force's aircraft are out of action due to age, a lack of spares or budget constraints. Picture: Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo Chronic underfunding or defunding of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the impact of state capture on defence and problematic SANDF deployments on foreign peacekeeping missions are a concern. This is the view of United Democratic Movement leader and Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa, who was reporting back to his party this week. Cabinet and Treasury accused of ignoring urgent funding needs Holomisa criticised the lack of parliament, Cabinet and National Treasury support to ensure adequate protection of the country. He said even President Cyril Ramaphosa's directive in 2023 to increase defence funding from 0.57% to 1.5% of the gross domestic product was not adhered to and the Cabinet 'reduced these urgent calls to mere rhetoric, and National Treasury failed to allocate the necessary funds'. 'Parliament and the government of national unity must establish a structured, accountable process to implement resolutions, especially those related to defence and oversight bodies such as Scopa [standing committee on public accounts],' he said. ALSO READ: 'We're bleeding but not finished': Motshekga defends struggling air force DRC deployment exposes faults in 'adequacy of planning processes' Holomisa said the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) debacle involving SANDF members, some of whom were killed in a battle with M23 rebels, was an incident that haunted the department. The problem raised concerns about the overall capacity, preparedness and logistical readiness of the force to effectively carry out its continental peacekeeping and combat obligations. 'It brought into question the adequacy of our planning processes, resource allocation and strategic command structures in high-risk deployments,' he said. 'The DRC episode served as a stark reminder of the urgent need to review and strengthen our defence capabilities.' Climate disasters highlight emergency response limitations Holomisa raised climate change as a hindrance to the SANDF's work as it tested its capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to disaster relief operations. ALSO READ: SANDF budget constraints: SAAF needs R414 million to refurbish Ramaphosa's presidential jet A case in point was the recent devastating floods in the Eastern Cape which claimed more than 100 lives. He said despite the scale of the disaster, only one Oryx helicopter was deployed to conduct rescue and relief efforts and that happened days after the disaster had occurred. This highlighted the severe limitations in the force's aerial response capabilities during emergencies. 'Urgent need to improve' 'This highlights the urgent need to improve SANDF's disaster response readiness in alignment with the growing frequency and intensity of climate-related events,' Holomisa said. He said the department also held strategic meetings with defence state-owned enterprises such as Armscor and Denel, the defence secretariat and compliance briefings by the auditor-general and oversight meetings with the portfolio committee on defence and military veterans. NOW READ: Dire state of SANDF 'old hat' – Holomisa
