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TimesLIVE
10-07-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Mkhwanazi finds support in parliament, but ANC says let probe play out
Opposition parties have thrown their weight behind KwaZulu-Natal police chief Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi after his allegations implicating senior officials including police minister Senzo Mchunu in interference with police investigations. The ANC declined to get involved in debate over the allegations. MP Oscar Mathafa said the party supports the formal process soon to be under way in parliament. 'We support the process initiated by the speaker of the National Assembly that an inquiry be undertaken to get to the bottom of the allegations,' he said. 'As such, we won't be drawn into a debate because these allegations must be tested. Once they are, the three committees will report to parliament and there we will debate and make our recommendations known.' Mkhwanazi dropped the bombshell during a Sunday media briefing, accusing Mchunu and top SAPS officials of interfering in politically-sensitive investigations, including political killings in KwaZulu-Natal. He also claimed Mchunu tried to source funding from a businessman linked to SAPS contracts worth R3bn. Despite the ANC's cautious stance, opposition parties have come out in support of Mkhwanazi, calling for swift action and reforms in the criminal justice system. MK Party MP Sibonelo Nomvalo said his party 'pledged unwavering support' to Mkhwanazi for his 'bravery and fearlessness'. 'We further support his sentiments that the task team on political killings must continue doing its work without fear or favour,' he said. 'All dockets must swiftly be taken from [deputy national commissioner] Lt-Gen [Shadrack] Sibiya who has questionable credibility, character and integrity.' EFF MP Mathibe Rebecca Mohlala said Mkhwanazi had exposed how 'the NPA will never prosecute powerful politicians while it is funded and controlled by them'. 'Mkhwanazi confirmed the minister of police solicited funding from a businessman with R3bn in SAPS contracts,' she said. She said Mchunu denied [knowing] the man, 'but evidence proves otherwise'. ActionSA chairperson and MP Athol Trollip reiterated his party's call for specialised corruption courts. 'The urgency has never been more clear, especially in light of the exposé by commissioner Mkhwanazi,' he said. ACDP MP Steve Swart said the revelations pointed to a deeper crisis in law enforcement. 'There is a huge shaking taking place in our nation. This follows the explosive revelations by Mkhwanazi of crime and corruption at the highest levels of SAPS, even at ministerial level,' he said. Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane said his party believes Mkhwanazi's version of events until proven otherwise. 'Mkhwanazi confirms to us that state capture has not stopped. We believe Mkhwanazi until he's been proven to be dishonest and that requires a process of thorough investigation,' he said. Speaker Thoko Didiza has launched an inquiry through three oversight committees: police, justice and intelligence. The inquiry will examine Mkhwanazi's claims and recommend action. Didiza rejected a request for a debate on the matter, saying it would not be appropriate as the allegations are still unsubstantiated.
TimesLIVE
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Stellantis SA CEO reveals 2026 model and expansion plans
Stellantis SA, the Midrand-based, local subsidiary of the megacorp headquartered in Hoofddorp, Netherlands, used its Media Connect week at Monte Casino, Fourways, to launch the new Opel Grandland and announce a raft of brand-specific future plans. The world's fifth-largest automaker by global sales volumes looks after a substantial portfolio of 14 iconic brands including Chrysler, Ram, Dodge, DS, Lancia, Maserati and Vauxhall. The local company, headed by former Nissan SA boss Mike Whitfield, is the merchant of the Opel, Peugeot, Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Citroën and Jeep brands exclusively. Whitfield took to the podium ahead of his team of brand managers to deliver the health status and future plans of the firm. Stellantis SA The CEO confirmed healthy growth for the company in tough trading conditions and commitment to a R3bn project to construct an assembly plant in the Coega special economic zone in Gqeberha. The plant will be used to build the Peugeot Landtrek bakkie by 2027. Whitfield says industrialising South Africa is key to the group's leadership plans in the Middle East & Africa (MEA) region, but he concedes that prevailing market conditions, including the Chinese car onslaught, have shifted trends, expectations and initial production targets. With the objectives changed, this put into jeopardy the minimum volumes of 50,000 units per annum needed to qualify for benefits under South Africa's Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP) — an incentive programme in place to stimulate local production. Solutions and complexities The experienced CEO says agility is needed, and now there's consideration for adding two other models to build alongside the bakkie at the nascent factory; one being a new energy vehicle and a so-far unidentified nameplate. Additionally, the company has set up a new department focusing on micro-mobility solutions for electric and conventional two, three and four-wheelers. The new subsidiary exploring the last-mile travels is headed by former Nissan SA country manager Kabelo Rabotho. Reducing range complexity forms part of 2026 efficiencies, this while introducing fresher ranges and adding more brands to an already wide scope of products as per Whitfield's confirmation that new energy subsidiary Leapmotor will enter the South African market in 2025. Leapmotor Leapmotor is a Chinese electric car start-up founded in 2015. Stellantis, with aims to bolster its fortunes in the global EV arena, formed a joint venture with Leapmotor International, holding a 51% controlling stake, and its Chinese partners 49%. The majority of Leapmotor products have electric propulsion but some of the models, such as the C10 REEV, are range-extender hybrids fitted with a conventional engine that charges the battery on the move, and promising a driving range of up to 1,150km on a full tank and battery. Pro One Whitfield also announced the establishment of the new Pro One brand in 2026. In a nutshell, globally, Stellantis is leveraging its commercial ranges into single units, and where South Africa is concerned French brand Peugeot will lead this charge with the Landtrek bakkie that recently gained updates of a bolder grille and other touches. Commercial offerings from Fiat and Opel will cease to exist, making way for Peugeot-badged bakkies and panel vans, but how French brand Citroën will be affected by the launch of the new Pro One brand is not yet known. Citroën The Stellantis SA entry marque finally revealed the new Hola, a panel van based on the C3 crossover and competing in the flourishing new sector created after the demise of the half-ton bakkie market. Powered by a 1.2 l engine, it's priced at R250,000. The rest of the C3 and C3 Aircross passenger ranges continue to offer value, with pricing targeted below the R400,000 mark. Opel With the launch of the smarter-looking and new Opel Grandland GS at a price of R789,900, the German brand that recently added the sportier Opel Corsa Irmsher Edition will bolster 2026 offerings with the new Frontera, a slightly shorter, more value-orientated SUV positioned below the Grandland range-topper. Alfa Romeo The sporting Italian brand that celebrated its 115-year anniversary recently is readying to launch the new Alfa Romeo Junior crossover this quarter. The sexy new number debuts with a pair of Elettrica (electric) models ranging from 115kW to 206kW. The larger and more established Tonale will gain a new plug-in-hybrid derivative while the Giulia sedan and Stelvio ranges continue as normal. Jeep Iconic lifestyle brand Jeep, which launched the rugged Wrangler with a downsized and turbocharged 2.0 l four-cylinder engine early in the year, gains a new, special, South African-made Gladiator bakkie derivative. The company doesn't share much information on the prospects, but adds that a hairier-chested, V6-powered Wrangler will also join the range, and that the Wrangler Rubicon 392 — the only model that comes fitted with a 6.4 l Hemi V8 engine — is also being considered for introduction to South Africa.
IOL News
21-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Will SA bear the cost of Eskom's R257bn air quality compliance?
Cooling towers at an Eskom coal-based power station in Duhva. Image: Mike Hutchings/Reuters SOUTH Africa's electricity crisis is about to get worse, not just because of load shedding, but because of the staggering cost of cleaning up Eskom's toxic air pollution. In a tense engagement with the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Select Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Mineral Resources, Eskom executives dropped a bombshell: full compliance with stricter air quality laws would cost R257 billion in capital expenditure and R6.3bn per year in operational costs — potentially hiking electricity tariffs by 10%. Even more alarming? Without compliance, 22 gigawatts of Eskom's coal fleet — nearly half its capacity — could be forcibly shut down after 2030 due to sulphur dioxide violations. The revelations came as Eskom's chief executive, Dan Marokane, and Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy, Samantha Graham-Mare, faced tough questions from MPs over the utility's financial constraints, its slow transition to cleaner energy, and the devastating health impacts of coal pollution on communities. Eskom has already spent R3bn on emission reduction projects, with another R15.6bn allocated over the next five years. But this is a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed. 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 Marokane admitted that while Eskom currently met SO² and nitrogen oxide limits, post-2030 regulations present an existential threat. The utility's proposed 'compromise' solution — focusing on SO² reductions at Kusile and Medupi, along with particulate matter upgrades at six other stations — would still require R77bn in capital and R2.1bn per year in operational costs. But even this plan is in jeopardy. Only R15.6bn has been budgeted for emissions projects over the next five years — far short of what's needed. Perhaps the most damning admission came from Deidre Herbst, Eskom's Senior Manager for Environment, who revealed that retrofitting the aging coal fleet for full compliance could take up to 14 years and more than R257bn — only for many of these plants to be decommissioned shortly afterward. 'Given the time frames, refitting most plants would be imprudent, constituting fruitless and wasteful expenditure,' Herbst said. Several power stations — Matla, Duvha, and Kriel — will shut down before flue-gas desulfurisation (FGD) plants can even be installed. Others, such as Lethabo, Tutuka, Matimba, and Kendal, will close shortly after FGD completion. 'Majuba and Matimba are in sparsely populated areas, limiting the health impact and cost benefit,' Herbst said — an utterance that drew sharp criticism from MPs who accused Eskom of downplaying the health risks to rural communities. MPs did not hold back in their criticism. DA MP Nico Pienaar demanded answers on why R40bn was being spent on diesel generation — money that could instead fund FGD plants. 'What happens if the new FGD plant isn't built and diesel turbines aren't closed, as per the World Bank agreement?' he asked. The DA's Sune Boshoff was even more scathing: 'Gauteng looks terrible when the wind blows. Is Eskom not wasting money on upgrading structures that won't exist much longer?' She slammed the projected 10% tariff hike to fund compliance, asking why alternative technologies and international funding were not being aggressively pursued. The EFF's Moses Kennedy pressed Eskom on whether independent health impact assessments had been conducted near Kendal, Matla, and Duvha stations, where residents suffer from chronic respiratory illnesses. Herbst admitted that while health benefits from cleaner stoves had been studied, power station health assessments were still lacking. Eskom's much-touted Just Energy Transition (JET) also came under fire. The state-owned utility's air quality offset programme — meant to provide cleaner energy alternatives to 96 000 households in Mpumalanga — has reached only 5 500 homes so far. Herbst claimed the rollout would accelerate, but MPs remained sceptical. Meanwhile, Northern Cape representatives Henri van den Berg (FF+) and Patricia Mabilo (ANC) pushed for green hydrogen and ammonia projects, arguing that they could create jobs. Deputy Minister Graham-Mare revealed that the EU had pledged €7bn for energy transition projects, including aviation sector decarbonisation. But with coal-dependent regions such as Mpumalanga facing massive job losses, MPs questioned whether the transition was truly 'just'. Marokane hinted at a controversial solution: nuclear energy. 'Most countries are building nuclear,' he said, suggesting that South Africa's Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) should reconsider its stance. 'Nuclear stimulates economies and industrialisation.' Yet, with Eskom's finances in shambles and R50bn earmarked for new technologies — including a Medupi FGD plant — the feasibility of nuclear expansion remained doubtful. Eskom's dilemma is clear: Spend R257 billion to comply with air quality laws, raising tariffs by 10%. Risk 22 GW of shutdowns if they don't comply, plunging SA into darkness. Face public outrage over health impacts and job losses in coal regions. As Deputy Minister Graham-Mare admitted, 'This is about balancing interests with limited resources.' But for millions of South Africans choking on coal pollution and struggling with soaring electricity costs, that balance feels dangerously skewed. The question remains: Will Eskom clean up its act—or will South Africans pay the price for its failure? Get the real story on the go: Follow the Sunday Independent on WhatsApp.
TimesLIVE
20-06-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Godongwana proposes full public funding for political parties
Finance minister Enoch Godongwana is proposing political parties be fully funded by public money, arguing reliance on private donors undermines accountability. Speaking at the Electoral Commission of SA's (IEC) inaugural symposium on political funding on Thursday, he said: 'In my view, political parties must be fully publicly funded. Political funding for political parties from the public purse carries with it obligations — there's going to be accountability and transparency. The auditor-general must be able to audit for that accountability.' Godongwana said there is need for a funding regime that ensures stability, transparency and participation. However, he cautioned that economic challenges and reduced revenue collection could limit the creation of a common public funding pool. 'Between the 2011/12 financial year to date, we've only given R3bn to political parties,' a figure he cited to highlight underfunding of parties. He also questioned the IEC's role in overseeing political funding, asking, 'Are we not putting the IEC in a position of a conflict?'
The Citizen
05-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Creecy intervenes in Acsa baggage screening services dispute
The dispute has resulted in multiple review applications, interdictory proceedings, and related appeal proceedings in the High Court. ACS provides baggage services on behalf of airlines operating at Acsa-managed airports. Picture: iStock Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has directed the Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) board to enter mediation with the firm responsible for baggage handling services at its airports. This comes after Acsa and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) suffered a legal blow last month in their battle with Aviation Co-ordination Services (ACS) to take control of hold baggage control screening (HBS). Legal battles The Gauteng High Court dismissed the urgent appeal by Acsa and SACAA, which barred it from bidding for or purchasing baggage screening equipment. The court judgment upholds the High Court's order of 5 November 2024, requiring Acsa and SACAA to allow ACS to replace the relevant equipment at OR Tambo and King Shaka International Airports while a main review case is still before the courts. It confirmed that the critical replacement of old hold baggage screening (HBS) equipment may proceed at the international airports, which is needed to ensure public safety and airport efficiency. The dispute has resulted in multiple review applications, interdictory proceedings, and related appeal proceedings in the High Court. Creecy's ministerial orders issued on Thursday empower the minister to take necessary steps to safeguard national security where a risk to critical infrastructure, public safety, or the national interest has been identified. ALSO READ: Acsa loses appeal for control of baggage screening services at major airports 'Negative impact' The minister said she is concerned about the 'negative impact' the protracted litigation could have on the integrity and reliability of HBS as the first line of defence against threats in the aviation system at Acsa's airports. 'In this regard, I am satisfied that intervention is necessary to prevent potential disruption, compromise of national security, and reputational harm. 'As such, my engagements with the Acsa board have, in the main, related to finding a solution to resolve the dispute amicably and timeously to obviate any destabilisation of an essential national security function,' said Creecy. ALSO READ: Acsa interdicted from adjudicating and awarding R3bn tender Terms of reference Creecy ordered the board to finalise and execute a mediation agreement which contains the following terms of reference: The implementation of interim measures relating to the maintenance regime and whether ACS / ACSA can or should install any HBS maintenance-related equipment, including the back-up HBS units. The dispute pertaining to ACS, which is responsible for the provision of the HBS and interrelated services, will be addressed at the mediation. The provision of service of HBS and its maintenance, compliance with the applicable regulatory frameworks, budgetary and fiscal constraints, the safety of passengers who use ACSA's airports, potential revision of agreements, and the commercial relations between the parties. Negotiate, during the mediation proceedings, must be in good faith as the legal prescripts require that parties to the mediation act in the best interests of national security. Prepare and submit a comprehensive report within two weeks, setting out the total costs incurred in relation to the dispute to date. This report must include a detailed breakdown of all the legal fees, disbursements, and any other associated expenses borne by the State. Mediation ACS CEO Duke Phahla welcomed the ministerial order announced by Creecy 'We strongly believe that the current challenges can be resolved without further delay or public expenditure through the courts. Our priority is, and always has been, the safe, secure, and compliant screening of baggage on behalf of our airline clients and their passengers. 'We enter this process in the spirit of collaboration and transparency. We look forward to engaging with Acsa and the Department of Transport to find an outcome that protects the integrity of South Africa's aviation security systems,' said Phahla. ACS was established by the airline industry to provide HBS services on behalf of airlines operating at ACSA-managed airports. NOW READ: Acsa wants a look over in fight over baggage screening services
