Latest news with #ExpropriationAct
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Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
[WATCH] Politricking with Tshidi Madia: Helen Zille
Zille shares her reaction to the firing of Minister Nkabane and weighs in on the unresolved issues with Health Minister Simelane while addressing the party's growing public frustration with ANC-led policy decisions, including the NHI and Expropriation Act. She reflects on John Steenhuisen's leadership and the DA's performance in national and local government. She speaks about the party's ambition to become a majority party. She also delves into succession politics and why Paul Mashatile remains a 'no-go' for the DA. She addresses the controversy around Andrew Whitfield's dismissal, and the DA's strategic positioning on foreign policy—from Washington to Zuma in Morocco. She wraps up the conversation by reflecting on racial identity politics, Liam Jacobs' departure, and the DA's evolving relationship with voters.
Daily Maverick
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Now that the Budget has finally been approved, GNU partners look ahead
For some parties, the GNU will endure despite tensions, urging focus on service delivery and economic reforms post-Budget approval. 'The GNU will survive, full stop,' said Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson Karabo Khakhau after a marathon session on Wednesday to pass the Appropriation Bill, which all Government of National Unity (GNU) parties supported. While the 10-party coalition united in pushing through the important Bill that ensures South Africa does not fall into a fiscal crisis, where to next for the GNU? For some parties, the GNU will survive its teething pains, and for others, now is the time to put aside party politicking in favour of getting the work done. After a protracted process since the firing of the DA's Andrew Whitfield, the deputy minister of trade, industry and competition, and the DA's announcement that it would not support votes for 'corruption-accused' ministers from the African National Congress (ANC), the DA eventually agreed to support the Bill and thus, the Budget. This came after President Cyril Ramaphosa fired Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane over the unfolding scandal in the Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) boards. But does this mean the GNU has managed to work out its differences? DA leader John Steenhuisen said, 'To preserve stability within the GNU, it is imperative that the Presidency urgently implements the dispute resolution mechanism outlined in the GNU Statement of Intent. Without it, governance risks being undermined by internal conflict. 'With the Budget now passed, the focus must shift decisively to service delivery and the rapid implementation of critical reforms to unlock economic growth and create jobs. DA-led ministries have already demonstrated measurable success, and we remain committed to delivering with excellence, professionalism, and integrity.' The fights between the two biggest parties in the GNU have often taken centre stage, from the signing into law of contentious legislation such as the Expropriation Act and the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act to Budget issues around the planned VAT increase, and recently, Whitfield's dismissal. Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie dismissed the squabbles as 'growing pains'. He told Daily Maverick, 'We are voting together — let me tell you, all families fight.' The controversial minister of sports, arts and culture, whose party is the fourth-biggest in the GNU, said the formation was a 'family' that fought internally, but stood together externally. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said, 'The passing of the Budget is a crucial process in the order of business by the National Legislature. We thank all parties that voted for the Budget.' The Sunday Times has reported that the ANC was looking to reconfigure the GNU. This week, ANC parliamentary chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli told Daily Maverick that at some point the GNU must be reset or reconfigured, 'but we never really drill it down to the details as to exactly what we mean by a reset or a reconfiguration'. But for other parties in the GNU, there needs to be clarity and re-evaluation. Rise Mzansi's national communications director, Mabine Seabe, said: 'Coalitions are by their very nature unstable, but the GNU can avoid many of the growing pains through maturity, particularly through an understanding that all political parties are equals — the often-peddled notion that smaller parties are in the GNU as a favour smacks of arrogance. We are all elected by constituencies, however big or small.' Seabe said that for this, the Leaders Forum and the Clearing House Mechanism needed to function and meet regularly, 'so that disagreements do not happen through media statements. 'This period has been punctuated by tussles over the Budget; therefore, all parties need to start those discussions earlier and with honesty so that the work of government and the Budget aren't held hostage by differing views.' The Good party's secretary-general, Brett Herron, said: 'Party political manoeuvring in the Government of National Unity is a distraction, defocusing the state from its parallel priorities to grow the economy and meet its constitutional obligations to provide social justice. 'Now that the nation has an approved Budget, the GNU partners must resist the creation of further crises and prioritise the work for which South African taxpayers, regardless of political affiliation, richly reward them.' DM
IOL News
6 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
ANC appeals to US Democrats to prevent sanctions against its leaders
President Cyril Ramaphosa is at risk of being sanctioned by the US for accusing the Israeli government of committing genocide against Palestine in Gaza. Image: Supplied / GCIS The ANC is pinning its hope on the United States of America's Democrats, who opposed the apartheid government, to protect its leaders, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, from a bill that empowers President Donald Trump to sanction them. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri revealed this on Wednesday afternoon following news that the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees of the US House of Representatives passed the US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025 that would sanction certain ANC members. It is now due to be sent to the full House of Representatives, where parliamentarians will vote for it. Among those who would be victims of the bill is Ramaphosa, who, according to international media, publicly accused the Israeli government of committing genocide against residents of Gaza on October 14, 2023. 'There are many Democrats, including those who were part of the anti-apartheid movements, who will stand up to caution Americans against supporting a president (Trump) who wants to censor and undermine the sovereignty of other nations,' said Bhengu-Motsiri. Next Stay Close ✕ Bhengu-Motsiri said the ANC would vigorously oppose an attempt to isolate it from the rest of the nation by reimposing sanctions against it. 'Remember, we come from a history where sanctions were imposed against the apartheid system. 'But also the ANC was isolated by some of those countries that were working closely with the apartheid government, including the United States,' she said. She was hoping that the bill, which was currently at the proposal stage, would not be passed into law. According to the international media, United States Congressman Ronny Jackson has introduced the bill that seeks to punish the ANC leaders for supporting America's enemies, such as China, Russia, and Iran. 'South Africa has brazenly abandoned its relationship with the United States to align with China, Russia, Iran, and terrorist organisations, a betrayal that demands serious consequences,' Daily Investor quoted Jackson. Certain ANC leaders, who are predicted to be the target of the bill, have been accused of mismanaging South Africa's state resources, which led to the poor performance of state-owned entities such as Eskom, resulting in load shedding, and Transnet's failure to operate train transport. Trump had earlier this year signed an executive order threatening to punish South Africa for Ramaphosa signing the Expropriation Act and Basic Education Laws Amendment Act, which angered Afrikaners who alleged that these laws would strip them of their farming land, destroy their school system and language, and deprive them of employment opportunities. Trump also accused the country of orchestrating the genocide against Afrikaners, whom he gave free entry into his country as refugees. In trying to mitigate the situation, Ramaphosa led a delegation, comprising DA leader John Steenhuisen and senior businessman Johan Rupert, to negotiate with Trump.
IOL News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
DA suing its own government — legal blitz on ANC raises eyebrows in fragile GNU
A DA flag blows in a breeze with the South African flag behind it. Democratic Alliance (DA) has adopted an aggressive legal strategy, initiating at least four major court challenges against its Government of National Unity (GNU) partner, the ANC and several of its ministers but maintains double standards when needed. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has adopted an aggressive legal strategy, initiating at least four major court challenges against its Government of National Unity (GNU) partner, the ANC and several of its ministers but maintains double standards when needed. However, this assertive approach has raised concerns about apparent double standards. While the DA frames these legal actions as principled efforts to uphold constitutional democracy, critics argue they reflect a pattern of political inconsistency and selective accountability. High-profile figures such as Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Minister of Higher Education Nobuhle Nkabane have been the subjects of DA allegations ranging from corruption to fraud. Most recently, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has come under the party's scrutiny. Despite the public attention these cases have received, none have resulted in a conviction — prompting questions about the DA's legal strategy, consistency, and overall credibility. The DA has also taken legal action against several key policy initiatives, including the Expropriation Act, the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill, VAT increases, and Employment Equity reforms — all central to the ANC's policy agenda and widely anticipated within the GNU framework.
Daily Maverick
08-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
After the Bell: Thanks for the letter, Donald. We'll think about it
While South Africa must deal with the fallout from Donald Trump's latest round of tariffs, we might have some strengths to play with. When I finally knocked off last night, I did think that there would be more news to come. Sometimes you do indeed have a spidey sense, sometimes it's just rational to expect more from the day. And so it proved. It was obvious that when President Donald Trump said he was going to send letters to several countries telling them what their new tariffs would be, we would be included in the list. But earlier in the day, during the US breakfast TV cycle, his Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, had said the letters would spell out that there would still be room for negotiation. To put it another way, Trump might still, as so often before, chicken out. And while he didn't really chicken out with our letter, in essence we are back to where we were before. No one knows what is going to happen, and Trump is trying to put as much pressure as possible on South Africa. Strangely, the letter to each of the countries that received one last night was the same. The only difference was the total tariff. Now, considering all of the heat that Trump and his allies have been putting on us, and how Elon Musk has been claiming he's the victim of discrimination (the richest man in the world … shame), you might think that we would be singled out for special treatment. But we weren't. Instead, the entire letter is about trade, and Trump's idea that the US is somehow suffering because its companies are trading with our companies. And this is something that is completely missed in much of the debate. South Africa doesn't trade with the US; American companies trade with South African ones. They do that because there is some benefit to it for both parties. Even the total 30% tariff shows that, for all of the screaming about 'white genocide', we are no different to places such as Japan or Indonesia. Modern Japan was almost wholly formed as a result of the way it was treated by the US after 1945. It is now an indispensable ally against China, and a Nato partner. And more than that, its chief negotiator actually put on a Maga cap during his talks with Trump, causing a small political storm in Japan. Despite all of that, despite the literal kowtowing to the US, and Trump personally, Japan was slapped with a tariff of 25%. Indonesia got 32%; Bangladesh and Serbia 35%. And no, I can't imagine two more different societies and economies than Serbia and Bangladesh. One has a population of about 171 million; the other under 7 million. Suddenly, our 30% looks like it is all about trade and not about politics. And that, in fact, all of Trump's antics around the Expropriation Act and everything else is not connected to our trading relationship. So, while we may now have to deal with the fallout after all of this, I do wonder if perhaps we have some strengths to play with. First, our economy, unlike some others, does not depend on the US. Sure, it's bad for some people to be locked out of the US – our winemakers and farmers will suffer big time. But we're not Canada or Mexico. They literally need the US. And we have some levers of our own. While Gwede Mantashe will be the first to tell you he and I disagree on many things, I thought people were wrong to laugh at him so quickly when he first said Africa should consider refusing to export its minerals to the US. Probably our biggest lever of the moment is platinum (prices have jumped dramatically in the past two months, mainly because of a scarcity of supply). If Trump doesn't get his platinum from us, he can go either to Russia (while sending more arms to Ukraine … good luck with that) or Canada (which is pretty keen on some levers of its own at the moment) or Zimbabwe. In other words, US companies might suddenly find that they have very few places to get their supplies if we refuse to sell the stuff to the US. Now, it might seem impossible to ban the export of platinum, and probably is. But it would be pretty easy to put a nice big export tax on it. Certainly, you could make the Americans pay for it. But actually all of that could just be performative. We won't need to go that far. What Trump really wants is to look like the boss, to make you wear a Maga cap and still kick you in the shins. He won't do that if you show that you can hit back. And it won't end there. This tariff argument is going to keep going.
