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The Citizen
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Malema promises urgent aid for Mthatha flood victims
Malema highlighted the urgent need for proper accommodation for displaced residents, particularly families with children who have been denied access to temporary shelters. Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has pledged to find urgent solutions for flood victims in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, following devastating floods that have claimed lives and destroyed infrastructure. During a visit to the region on Saturday, Malema was welcomed by King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo at Nkululekweni Palace ahead of a briefing on the flood's impact. The EFF leader issued a direct appeal to wealthy South Africans, particularly Black business leaders, to unite in support of the flood-stricken communities, criticising what he sees as inadequate government response and unequal disaster relief efforts. Malema criticises government response to Mthatha floods Malema expressed frustration with the delayed government response to the disaster, emphasising the need for immediate action rather than bureaucratic procedures. 'After more than 100 people died, the army only comes after the fence. So we want a responsive government and the EFF is such a responsive government,' he said. 'If there's a disaster, disaster means there's an emergency. You can't [just] be calling meetings, we must meet on the ground and help people.' He criticised officials for holding meetings while people were suffering, stating: 'We are going to make sure you are all attended to. Yesterday the initial chair was telling me we had one family with a bereavement. There is four families now who want to bury their loved ones.' ALSO READ: WATCH: Another tragic twist in Eastern Cape flood tragedy EFF commits to burial support The party leader announced that the EFF would provide direct assistance to families who have lost loved ones in the floods. 'We are going to help them as the EFF to bury those loved ones in a dignified manner,' Malema declared. He also addressed issues surrounding burial rights, asserting that no one should be denied proper burial arrangements. 'The EFF has to answer to that issue. No one should be refused a burial right. If it's traditional leadership, we can take it up with them, then we will take it up with those people. If it's the police or the municipality, we will take it up with the police and the municipality to make sure that whoever needs to be buried must be buried.' ♦️In Pictures♦️ The EFF President and Commander in Chief, @Julius_S_Malema, offering his heartfelt condolences to the Mkatshane family at the funeral service of 14-year-old Siyavuya Mkatshane, who tragically lost his life after being swept away by floods on his way to school.… — Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) June 28, 2025 ALSO READ: First the floods and now snow, more rain for Eastern Cape residents Accommodation crisis for displaced Mthatha floods victims Malema highlighted the urgent need for proper accommodation for displaced residents, particularly families with children who have been denied access to temporary shelters. He mentioned that some victims had been 'chased out of a church or whatever' and emphasised the need to find alternative accommodation immediately. 'We cannot have children sleeping under trees because someone is denying people access,' he said. 'Let's find them a wall, let's find them a church, let's find them a school. Let's go back to the same church and plead with the church and please accommodate these people while we are still looking for urgent solution.' ALSO READ: Eastern Cape residents say they've been ignored by government after floods Malema calls for corporate and private sector support The EFF leader made a pointed appeal to wealthy individuals and corporations to contribute to relief efforts, drawing comparisons to disaster response in more affluent areas. He questioned why similar support wasn't materialising for Mthatha victims. 'When I leave here, I'm going to call on other people,' Malema announced. He specifically called out the absence of major foundations and wealthy individuals, asking: 'But where is Motsepe Foundation when parents are saying, 'we are asking for clothes for children'?' Malema drew attention to disparities in disaster response, referencing relief efforts in Cape Town's affluent areas. 'There was a disaster in Cape Town in one of the most expensive places. We saw the big companies going there, sending food, sending clothes, sending all types of things in the Western Cape. Why is that not happening [here]?' ALSO READ: WATCH: Bad weather and floods wreak havoc in Cape Town Appeal to black economic leaders Making a direct appeal to Black business leaders and wealthy individuals, Malema emphasised the responsibility of successful Black South Africans to support their communities during times of crisis. 'We call on the rich people, especially Black people, to come in and help our people with everything necessary,' he said. He stressed that victims needed comprehensive support beyond basic provisions. 'The disaster washed away the clothes, the furniture and the belongings of our people. Let's help them to rebuild their life,' Malema explained. He further noted that women particularly needed sanitary pads and clothing, not just blankets. Support for community leadership Malema praised the women leading the relief centers and encouraged them to continue speaking truth about their communities' needs. 'What made me happy is that the leaders of these centres are women. You are very strong and it is through that spirit that you will have gained a lot of support.' He urged community leaders not to compromise their honesty for the sake of receiving aid. 'Don't be scared to talk because you must not receive food for lying. You have to tell the truth. If they say sponsors won't come because you are telling the truth, then it means the sponsors like lies. We don't want people who want lies.' Furthermore, the EFF leader encouraged continued communication and transparency: 'So continue to speak, continue to express yourself, speak truth to power. Where there are issues, please speak to us.' NOW READ: Are Sassa payments in the Eastern Cape at risk due to floods and a looming cold front?
Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Floyd Shivambu unveils Mayibuye consultation process, enlisting former EFF and MK leaders for dialogue
Less than a week after Floyd Shivambu announced he would be consulting various communities about launching a new political party, he announced some familiar names that are taking part. And there were jibes at the MK party, too. Former members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party were named among volunteers and leadership for the Mayibuye Consultation Process, with Floyd Shivambu being the convener of the process. On Friday, 27 June, one week after Shivambu announced he was starting a process to determine if he should launch a new political party, he held a media briefing to announce the names of the individuals who would assist. They include former EFF MPs Vusi Khoza and Fana Mokoena and former MK party members Patrick Sindane, Menzi Magubane and Bishop Stephen Zondo. The names also included those of ordinary volunteers, union workers, religious leaders and former student leaders from across the country. Shivambu announced last week that he will consult communities and groups to gauge whether he should launch his own political party to contest the 2026 local government elections. His announcement came after his reported dismissal from the MK party, a mere 10 ten months after he joined it and was named as its secretary-general. However, Shivambu claimed last week that he is still a member of the MK party, which allows for dual membership. Shivambu told journalists on Friday that this consultative process will include existing political parties and their members, claiming that members of the Government of National Unity , including the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance had talks with the consultative forum. 'If other political parties are willing to listen to us, we will also talk to them to appraise them of the process that we are engaged in,' Shivambu said. He claimed that more than '10 represented political parties that have approached us represented in different municipality councils […] said that they would want to form part of the Mayibuye consultation process, and these parties come from all corners of South Africa'. Shivambu said one of the reasons for the consultations is that those leading it 'think that the organisations that are supposed to be the fighting instruments on behalf of the oppressed masses of our people are not adequate enough to fight the battles ahead. We don't have confidence in the ANC; we don't have confidence in the MK; we don't have confidence in the EFF; and those are the three biggest black organisations'. Shivambu has been a member of all three parties. 'We are going […] to listen as to what is to be done, and that will guide us as to what we do moving forward,' he said. Shivambu took a swipe at President Ramaphosa's planned National Dialogue. 'We are here today to start a process of the real national dialogue as to what is to be done and this national dialogue that we are beginning is not like the highly expensive talk shop, which is convened by the South African government which clearly will have predetermined outcomes.' Shivambu also took swipes at fellow MK party members. Earlier on Friday, EWN reported that MK party spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, is taking legal action against Shivambu, demanding R3-million in damages after Shivambu allegedly accused Ndhlela of drug and alcohol abuse. Shivambu said that as part of the new consultative process, he had 'benefited' from leadership in terms of how they should handle certain things. 'And part of that guidance is that I must unconditionally retract the statement of drug use and alcohol abuse of Nhlamulo Ndhlela unconditionally, but we take this opportunity to tell the people of South Africa to stay away from drugs and to stay away from alcohol, particularly if they are members of Parliament and members of leadership of different political parties,' he said. DM
Engadget
a day ago
- Politics
- Engadget
Supreme Court upholds Texas's porn site age verification law
The US Supreme Court has upheld a Texas law that could have broad implications for online free speech. The court ruled 6-3 in affirming Texas law HB 1181, which requires websites that host adult content to implement age verification. The nonprofit Free Speech Coalition petitioned the top court in April 2024 to review the law. Texas was only one of many states passing age-verification laws aimed at porn websites. Critics across the political spectrum have noted HB 1181 has concerning implications for the First Amendment and online privacy. The EFF notes that no age verification method exists that is both accurate and respects user privacy. (Unlike flashing an ID in person, online verification requires data retention.) Developing...
IOL News
a day ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Former MK, EFF members to be part of Floyd Shivambu's Mayibuye consultation process
Former MK Party secretary general Fooyd Shivambu, has unveilled members of the national consultation that may lead to a new political party. Image: Floyd Shivambu/X Former members of the MK Party, including Patrick Sindane, Luther Lebelo, and Menzi Magubane, alongside former EFF members Vusi Khoza and Fana Mokoena, have been appointed as leaders of the Mayibuye Consultation Process. This announcement was made by Floyd Shivambu, the former secretary-general of the MK Party, during a press briefing held on Friday in Midrand, Johannesburg. Shivambu also announced that former ANC member Lazola Ndamase and the controversial Bishop Stephen Zondo, leader of the Rivers of Living Waters Ministries, are part of the leadership team. Zondo has faced serious allegations of sexual assault, with many of the accusers being members of his church. Additionally, veteran radio broadcaster Sydney Baloyi has joined the group. Shivambu announced that he will be the national convener of both the Mayibuye National Consultation Team and the Mayibuye Consultation Process. He said the group will engage in public consultations, after which a national convention will be held to decide the next steps. 'Then we will prepare - if the mandate is that we must contest the 2026 local government elections and the 2029 general elections, we're going to do so and win those elections decisively,' he said. Shivambu was recently removed from his position as deputy secretary-general of the MK Party and excluded from the list of new MPs sworn into Parliament. 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 ✕ Last week, he announced plans to launch a consultation committee to determine whether there is a need for a new political party. 'But all of that is dependent on the work we are going to do in different communities,' Shivambu said. 'The people of South Africa, you are all called upon with humility from us to be tolerant with the process we're engaged in and to make meaningful contributions - shape a movement, if it is a movement that we are going to pursue.' Shivambu added, 'Let us move away from organisations that are nothing but family projects. Let us constitute national movements that are representative of all our people, that are honest, that are transparent, and that will inspire hope.' He added that several political parties have expressed interest in the Mayibuye Consultation Process. 'More than 10 political parties, represented in various municipal councils, have approached us saying they would like to be part of the consultation process,' he said. 'These parties come from all corners of South Africa.'
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Tshwane speaker Mncedi Ndzwanana survives DA attempt to oust him
Ndzwanana denied the opposition party's claims. 'I categorically deny that opposition parties are being silenced in council meetings. It's my duty to be fair and impartial when managing debates. It is incorrect to assert that opposition parties are being silenced in council meetings. As speaker, I always and will continue to conduct and uphold fairness and impartiality in managing debates and motions.' The ANC's Aaron Maluleke accused the opposition of being 'hypocrites of the highest order'. 'For them it is expediency. When it suits them they want us to conform to democracy, but democracy has different meanings for them. This has nothing to do with Ndzwanana, it has everything to do with the ego of the DA. When he was there [in the DA-led previous administration], Ndzwanana presided over difficult council meetings, they allowed him to participate until he was reduced to nobody by them. When he came to our side, we agreed we will face forward and defeat the DA. Not only on this motion, but on their track record of being hypocrites.' The EFF's Tshegofatso Mashabela, also a coalition partner, dismissed the motion as a 'baseless, senseless and jealousy-driven attempt' to derail the administration. 'It is nothing but a show of anger and jealousy towards the smooth running of this council and its administration and they must be stopped. They must allow the will of the majority in this city to prevail,' she said. ActionSA councillor Thabo Malosi echoed the sentiments, saying the motion was born of fear that the city is beginning to rise from the rubble. 'The people of Tshwane are beginning to see good governance and they like what they see. This is not a motion, it is a backlash and knee-jerk reaction invoked by those who thrive in chaos. This is sabotage in a suit, a desperate act from those who can't stand the thought of a functioning city that does not need their politics.'
