Latest news with #MdumiseniNtuli
The Citizen
a day ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
National Assembly agrees to revive motion to investigate statutory rape
Political parties united in Parliament to address the statutory rape crisis, citing rising teen pregnancies and weak law enforcement as urgent concerns. Parliament has backed a revived motion to investigate statutory rape, with all parties united in their sense of urgency over rising abuse and teenage pregnancy rates. The National Assembly (NA) hosted a sitting on Tuesday, where lawmakers considered a motion to revive the investigation into the issue of statutory rape in South Africa and possibly change the law around it. Each party either declared its support for the motion or confirmed its backing without formal declarations. Statutory rape, harshest abuses on children ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli said the ANC supported the motion, citing the high rate of teenage pregnancies and the need for comprehensive sexual education. 'Statutory rape is one of the harshest abuses to our children. It strips them of their right to be children,' Ntuli said. The chief whip said the provisions of South African law and the statistics of statutory rape allude to a disjuncture. ALSO READ: Child rape in South Africa deserves real justice The ANC called for a collective effort to address teenage pregnancies. DA chief whip George Michalakis confirmed his party's support and stressed the need for decisive action to combat statutory rape. 'It does cut across various departments, and I think that statutory rape, especially of young girls in this country, has become a crisis that needs to be dealt with decisively by this Parliament,' Michalakis said. National emergency MK party MP Hazel Mbele said Parliament shouldn't even be debating the motion, arguing that statutory rape demands a national emergency. She highlighted the growing crisis in townships, rural villages, and schools. 'Let's be clear, statutory rape is not a scandal. It is a crisis. It is a kind of power, of manipulation, of betrayal, and it is happening on our watch,' she said. Mbele said South Africa's laws are not weak, but the implementation of them is weak. She also expressed concerns regarding the police's ineffectiveness in dealing with cases of statutory rape. ALSO READ: Statutory rape in South Africa: How many offenders were found guilty in last 10 months? 'This is traumatisation. We need to stop thinking that statutory rape is a mistake or a relationship gone. This is not Romeo and Juliet; this is a child being manipulated, violated and often impregnated by someone who should know better,' she said. Mbele said the motion must pass, not because it is politically convenient, but because South African children are not safe. Urgent need for comprehensive interventions EFF MP Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi reminded the House of a previous motion the party tabled on statutory rape. She also cited the numerous teenage pregnancy cases reported on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve to stress the urgent need for comprehensive interventions. 'A critical area of focus is the enforcement of mandatory reporting by teachers and nurses, which is essential in bridging the gap in current protective measures,' Mkhaliphi said. She said the party supports the revival of the motion to ensure justice for victims and called for stronger interdepartmental coordination. ALSO READ: DNA test reveals Limpopo man did not impregnate 13-year-old girl The IFP, Patriotic Alliance, ACDP, UDM, Bosa, ATM, and ActionSA expressed their support for the motion, advocating for a more comprehensive and broader approach to the issue at hand. Parties unanimously agreed to revive motion Following declarations from all the parties, there were no objections, and all parties unanimously agreed to revive the motion. The National Assembly tasked the portfolio committee on women and children to lead the investigation. The committee must collaborate with the committees on basic education, social development, police, health, and justice. The House has extended the deadline for the committee to report back to 30 November.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Urgent call for political engagement to avert budget stalemate, says ANC chief whip
ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli acknowledged that the areas of disagreements over some department votes were political and not technical. Image: Supplied / ANC ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli on Thursday said there was no substitute for political work if the impasse over the 2025/26 Budget was to be avoided. Speaking during the meeting of the National Assembly Committee, Ntuli said the budget was not a small matter. 'There is no substitute in terms of political work that has to be done. I understand that work has begun, but it has to be intensified. When we are at crossroads like we find ourselves in now, we have to plan for various scenarios,' he said. Ntuli made the comments after UDM parliamentary leader Nqabayomzi Kwankwa and National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza called for political engagement amid fears that the Appropriation Bill, which forms part of the Budget, may not be passed next week. This happens as the parliamentary rules provide that budget votes for each department should be passed along with the Appropriation Bill, among other things. 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 ✕ Ad loading The DA has threatened not to support the departmental budgets led by those ministers it deems are compromised and should be axed from the Cabinet. Kwankwa said it could not be that political management of the situation was left until next Wednesday when the Appropriation Bill was tabled. 'Is political management not supposed to take place beforehand?' he asked. 'I want to appeal that the political footwork should start now, and we can't exist to provide for things rules are not made for,' Kwankwa added. Didiza said she was sure that where there were issues of a political nature, different political parties will have to engage. 'I hope parties go through the votes to understand their differences and not burden Parliament on matters that can be dealt bilaterally by parties,' Didiza said. Earlier, Ntuli wanted to know if they could start with votes where there was consensus and deal last with those that parties had declared they would not support. 'We know parties made a public declaration on which vote they are to vote for. We know the DA where it stands unless it changes. We know the MK has tended to vote against everything.' He acknowledged that the areas of disagreement over some votes were political and not technical. 'When we refer to the committee, political disagreement won't find a solution,' he said, adding that the committee can't solve the issue if a party does not support a particular vote because they have issues with a certain minister. MK Party's Visvin Reddy said the parliamentary processes should be allowed to unfold. 'You can't say for certain this is how parties will vote. There will be behind-the-scenes meetings,' he said. However, National Assembly Secretary Masibulele Xaso indicated that it could be arranged that the contentious votes be dealt with last. 'That should not be an issue. If there is a need that there must suspension of business to consult, business can be suspended and parties will be able to consult,' he said. Responding to Ntuli's question about timeframe for the standing committee to further process the bill once rejected by the national Assembly, parliamentary legal advisor Frank Jenkins said: 'That is within Parliament authority to determine its internal arrangements.' But, Xaso indicated that parliamentary rules provide that the same bill can't be introduced more than once in a session. 'The House can decide by resolution that a bill can be reintroduced,' he said. Didiza said they would provide further clarity to the parties on legal issues should the need arise. 'If there is a need for quicker consultation with whips and the National Assembly Programme Committee next week, we will have a meeting even if it means the sitting is online so that all parties attend. If there are new matters, the amendment of rules will be done,' she said. Meanwhile, EFF MP Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi called for the tightening of rules and any legal gaps on matters related to the budget. 'Parliament must move with speed,' she said. This was a sentiment similar echoed by Ntuli earlier. 'We need to imagine what it is that we can do within our power in the event the law is silent,' he said in reference to a lacuna that was never anticipated by lawmakers. Didiza undertook to come in the event that there might be legal gaps and rules that might need consideration.
Eyewitness News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
ANC's Ntuli, Ntshavheni take swipes at DA for boycotting National Dialogue
CAPE TOWN - The African National Congress (ANC)'s chief whip, Mdumiseni Ntuli, and Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni have both taken swipes at the Democratic Alliance (DA) for boycotting the National Dialogue during debate on the budget vote of the Presidency. President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday sought to address the National Dialogue impasse with the DA upfront, saying it won't be a talk-shop and is being designed to hear the voices of society, so their needs can be properly addressed. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa says National Dialogue not 'just about talking', expects it to 'produce real results' Mdumiseni was the first to criticise the DA's announcement in June that it would not participate in the National Dialogue because of the cost involved and because the president was not acting fairly in his disciplinary action against members of the executive. Ntuli also said Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema was wrong to say the dialogue would be useless and a waste of money. 'It is my considered view that nobody must be allowed to stop the direction of the National Dialogue, and the country must be afforded an opportunity, from all sectors of society, to find solutions to the problems that continue to confront us.' Outlining how the dialogue will work, Ntshavheni also took a potshot at the DA, saying there had been an overwhelming response from civil society. 'When you don't want to participate, you'll remain there alone. South Africans are eager to participate.' With the first leg of the dialogue set to start in August, Ntshavheni said it would not be a once-off event and that the dialogue will continue in various forms and platforms for at least a year. On Wednesday night, the Presidency announced Professor Tinyiko Maluleke and Roelf Meyer as the co-chairpersons of the eminent persons group responsible for guiding the dialogue.
Daily Maverick
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Power Chat – Ferial Haffajee speaks to ANC's Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli
In this episode of Power Chat, author and Daily Maverick Associate Editor Ferial Haffajee sits down with ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli to unpack the state of South Africa's Government of National Unity. As questions grow about the strength and stability of the GNU, Haffajee asks whether it's becoming a space of problems and pitfalls. Ntuli responds directly, saying the Democratic Alliance is responsible for the challenges within the coalition. Listen to this conversation about power-sharing, political fault lines, and the future of South Africa's governing alliance.
IOL News
05-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
‘An affront to workers': ANC slams DA's court bid to scrap Employment Equity Act
ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, said the DA hated any policy on transformation, adding that the (DA) heading to court on the eve of Workers Day proved that. Just as the storm over the 0.5% VAT hike begins to calm, a new political storm is brewing. This week, the DA heads to court over the Employment Equity Act, threatening to reignite tensions within the rocky Government of National Unity (GNU). The DA will challenge the Act at the Pretoria High Court on Tuesday. The DA alleges that the Act will damage the economy even further. The ANC has accused the DA of hindering the progress and transformation of the country. It said the DA was committed to reversing the gains made by the government over the past 30 years. In a tweet on X over the weekend, ANC parliamentary chief whip, Mdumiseni Ntuli, said the DA's action was a validation of a continued exclusion of black people in the economy. Last week, ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, said the DA hated any policy on transformation, adding that the (DA) heading to court on the eve of Workers Day proved that. "We denounce the DA's court challenge against the Employment Equity Act. It is not only a legal manoeuvre — it is a calculated political stunt, launched on the eve of Workers' Day, aimed at reversing three decades of democratic gains. It is an affront to workers, to the poor, and our national Constitution,' Mbalula said. The DA filed its legal challenge in 2023, but tensions have resurfaced following the release of regulations introducing sector-specific racial quotas—measures the DA views as unconstitutional and discriminatory. The case has further strained the GNU, provoking a backlash from the ANC caucus and renewed calls for the DA's removal from the coalition. It joins a series of legislative flashpoints—including the NHI Act, BELA Act, and Expropriation Act—all passed before the GNU's formation. While the GNU aims for cooperation, the DA continues to oppose core elements of these laws, citing fundamental ideological divides. With the coalition only recently stabilised after a budget crisis, the DA's court battle over employment equity is now a fresh source of political friction. Meanwhile, the DA led by its federal chairperson Helen Zille is expected to hold a media briefing on Monday on the merits of its case against the Act. [email protected] IOL Politics
