Latest news with #R800m

IOL News
a day ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Labour Party declares war on Ramaphosa's National Dialogue
THE Labour Party of South Africa has launched a blistering legal and political offensive against President Cyril Ramaphosa's controversial National Dialogue, branding it an unconstitutional, fiscally reckless, and elitist manoeuvre designed to sideline Parliament and the working class. Image: Ron AI THE Labour Party of South Africa has launched a blistering legal and political offensive against President Cyril Ramaphosa's controversial National Dialogue, branding it an unconstitutional, fiscally reckless, and elitist manoeuvre designed to sideline Parliament and the working class. The Party's urgent High Court application, filed on June 18, seeks to interdict the process, citing its estimated R700 million to R800m cost as 'unjustifiable' amid South Africa's deepening crises. Announced by Ramaphosa on June 10, the National Dialogue proposes a two-phase convention — first in August to 'set the agenda', followed by a 2026 summit — to address national challenges. But the Labour Party argues it is a redundant, unlawful parallel to Parliament and institutions such as the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac). 'South Africa doesn't need another elite summit behind closed doors,' said acting Secretary-General Lindi Mkhumbane. 'We already have Parliament, Nedlac, and civil society platforms. What we don't have is political will from the ruling elite to act on the people's demands.' The court papers demand:- A declaratory order that the Dialogue is unconstitutional and irrational.- An interdict blocking public funds for the process, including payments to the appointed 'Eminent Persons Group'.- A review of all executive decisions initiating the Dialogue. The case has escalated into a showdown between the Labour Party and a coalition of high-profile civil society groups aligned with the state. On June 30 the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, the Strategic Dialogue Group, and the Thabo Mbeki, Steve Biko, and Albert Luthuli Foundations filed to intervene, defending the Dialogue. 'These are not bystanders. These are political actors with deep ties to the post-apartheid ruling class,' fumed interim Labour Party President Joseph Mathunjwa. 'Their role isn't to unite the nation, it's to preserve an elite consensus forged behind closed doors.' The Foundations submitted answering affidavits before being granted leave to intervene, a move Mathunjwa described as 'arrogance, plain and simple'. He accused them of betraying their legacies: 'The same communities (these leaders) stood for are ravaged by gender-based violence (GBV), unemployment, and poverty. Now these elites want a 'dialogue' instead of action.' The Labour Party claims that the dialogue is a smokescreen for IMF-driven austerity, including Eskom's privatisation and neoliberal reforms. 'This is a rubber stamp for IMF instructions, nothing more,' Mathunjwa said. 'If Parliament is functional, why create a new platform? This isn't inclusion, it's circumvention.' The state's late filing of answering papers — missed deadlines and procedural delays — has further fueled suspicions. 'They missed the deadline, and now they're bringing in reinforcements to stall,' Mathunjwa said. The case, initially set for July 1, was postponed to July 4. At its core, the Labour Party's challenge questions whether South Africa's democracy can withstand executive overreach and elite capture. 'The President cannot wake up and decide to allocate R800m without parliamentary scrutiny,' Mkhumbane argued. 'This is executive overreach masquerading as participation.' With the hearing imminent, the Labour Party has called for public support, urging South Africans to reject what it described as a 'PR stunt' while the country burns. 'Rape, violence, and poverty don't need a dialogue, they need action,' Mathunjwa said. 'We're ready to meet them in court.'


Eyewitness News
5 days ago
- Climate
- Eyewitness News
EC floods: Some displaced Mthatha residents fear similar situation will happen in spring
MTHATHA - Some displaced residents in flood-ravaged Mthatha said they're worried about what will happen when the spring rains return, especially with aid slow to arrive and thousands still taking shelter in temporary spaces. More than 4,700 people remain displaced and the death toll from the Eastern Cape floods stands at 101. The youngest victim was just 12 months old. ALSO READ: - EC govt denies claims that flood survivors being told to return to unsafe homes - EC flood survivors may need to wait up to 3 months to be housed - EC govt recognises deficit of more than R800m to restore flood-damaged roads The provincial government said land for relocation had been identified, but rehousing would take time due to planning, infrastructure, and administrative processes. It said that it hopes to begin moving people within 30 days but admitted the full process could take up to three months. At Sinolwazi Senior Secondary School in Decoligny, blackboards are still covered in chalk, but the classrooms are empty. Desks have been stacked up to make space for mattresses. And in Joe Slovo, a small church is housing entire families. Here, people said aid isn't reaching them and they fear a repeat disaster when the September rains come. "We fear that the September rains are imminent. What if a similar situation befalls us? Heavy rains are coming. We are in trouble. Our children will fall sick." While there's hope, many are still struggling with the trauma of the floods. "We are afraid of this water. Even if there's blowing wind, you see, we just wake up thinking there's something coming." As temperatures drop and storm season looms, many in Mthatha fear they may be forced to live through another flood before getting a new roof over their heads.


Eyewitness News
6 days ago
- General
- Eyewitness News
EC flood survivors may need to wait up to 3 months to be housed
MTHATHA - Flood survivors in the Eastern Cape may have to wait up to three months to be housed as government begins the long process of finding land and building temporary homes. The death toll from the devastating floods remains at 101, with two children, aged eight and twelve, among an estimated 20 people still missing. More than 1,000 have been destroyed and while emergency shelters remain in place, officials said permanent solutions would take time. ALSO READ: - EC govt recognises deficit of more than R800m to restore flood-damaged roads - Deadly Eastern Cape floods declared a national disaster - Search and rescue teams in Mthatha anticipate difficult conditions as cold front moves in Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC Zolile Williams said the housing process involved identifying suitable land, completing structural assessments, and building temporary units. "It's difficult to estimate time, but at least two to three months, I think those people will be moved properly." The Eastern Cape government said it was working with municipalities and national departments to coordinate land use and expedite emergency housing, while maintaining safety standards. In the meantime, hundreds of families remain in temporary shelters across districts, including OR Tambo, Ngqeleni, and Port St Johns. With recovery efforts now shifting from search to reconstruction, officials have promised that flood victims won't be abandoned.


Eyewitness News
6 days ago
- Climate
- Eyewitness News
EC govt denies claims that flood survivors being told to return to unsafe homes
MTHATHA - The Eastern Cape government has rubbished claims that flood survivors are being told to return to homes that may be unsafe, calling the reports false, dangerous and misleading. This comes as parts of the province enters day two of a biting cold front, with snow reported in high-lying areas and heavy rains predicted over the next 48 hours. ALSO READ: - EC flood survivors may need to wait up to 3 months to be housed - EC govt recognises deficit of more than R800m to restore flood-damaged roads - Deadly Eastern Cape floods declared a national disaster Officials said no one was being forced to move back and that safety remained the priority as teams continue damage assessments and humanitarian support. The province said it's concerned about false information circulating in some communities, insisting that residents should only return to their homes once they've been inspected and cleared by structural engineers. In districts like OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo and Chris Hani, dozens of homes remain uninhabitable or destroyed entirely. Emergency shelters and community halls continue to house those displaced, with a focus now shifting to long-term reconstruction plans. "We have not instructed anyone to return there because the challenge is you sending the people back to those homes and the structures have been affected because the homes have been underwater," said provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC Zolile Williams. But with freezing weather now gripping the region, the pressure is mounting to move quickly, as communities face a dual crisis of loss and exposure.

TimesLIVE
14-05-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Durban Chamber of Commerce backs Lenmed's vision for medical tourism and economic growth
Organised business believes the new Lenmed eThekwini Acute Rehabilitation Centre is a powerful vote of confidence in Durban's 'resilience, economic stability, and long-term growth potential'. Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Palesa Phili said at a time when 'everyone was very jittery' about investing in Durban and KwaZulu-Natal, the Lenmed Group went ahead with investments. During the 2021 July unrest, which swept through KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng, fires and violence raged around the hospital in the Queen Nandi Drive vicinity. 'We believe this investment will position Durban favourably and contribute to the economic growth and job creation of our city. "Most importantly, it will also create vast opportunities from the health sector,' Phili told local dignitaries, government officials and business leaders at the official opening on Monday. The chamber hopes to partner with the facility to boost medical tourism in the city. 'We need to start pushing medical tourism to bring more medical tourists into our city. Because we have establishments such as this, we are ready to take care of all types of medical issues that any tourist may encounter. We look forward to that partnership,' she said. The purpose-built 41-bed with five acute beds unit is designed to support patients in the critical early phases of recovery after complex medical events such as stroke, spinal cord injury, neurosurgery, cardiac events, major trauma and other debilitating conditions. It offers interdisciplinary, team-based rehabilitation services, led by a dedicated team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and rehabilitation nurses working alongside specialists. Lenmed Group CEO Amil Devchand said the new unit was the group's 20th facility. 'Apart from the tremendous growth projects we've seen at this hospital over the years, there are several others under way. 'We're also in the fortunate position of having a strong and robust growth pipeline, with nearly R800m set to be deployed across our other facilities over the next two to three years. There are not many healthcare groups, or businesses, that have the confidence to execute at this scale,' he said. However, government and regulators need to recognise the value of the private healthcare sector, Devchand said. 'There is much more that can be done. We continue to be hopeful government and regulators will recognise the tremendous asset that lies within the private healthcare sector, just as they have done in other industries, in the interest of strengthening the national healthcare delivery platform. 'Let us aim for a solution that is not political or populist, but one that is sustainable, built on evidence and data, and truly capable of making a difference to the people of this country. We stand ready to collaborate and partner in this regard,' he said. Niresh Bechan, CEO at eThekwini Hospital and Heart Centre, said the R78m state-of-the-art acute rehabilitation unit provided 'a full continuum of care without referring patients elsewhere, significantly enhancing the patient's care journey and experience'. 'This holistic approach ensures patients receive not only medical management and supervision of underlying conditions but also emotional and psychological support, family education and care training. Our goal is to maximise functional independence, restore quality of life and facilitate safe, timely discharge back into the community.'