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IOL News
14-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
A nation turned upside down: How SA's system now punishes the honest, protects the powerful
Archbishop Desmond Tutu reminds us: 'There is no future without forgiveness, but forgiveness does not mean forgetting; nor does it mean impunity.' Image: File South Africa has not collapsed. It has been inverted. What once punished wrongdoing now protects it. What once honoured the honest now humiliates them. What once upheld truth now turns it into a liability. We are now living in what can only be called the age of the unpunished where accountability is an illusion and wrongdoing is a stepping stone not a stumbling block. This national inversion plays out not only in the streets or in the headlines but deep within our governance systems. The medical aid racial profiling scandal, the collapse of oversight structures and recent internal disclosures from senior police leadership have laid bare how criminal sabotage and systemic corruption have infiltrated the state from within. These are not opposition claims; they are acknowledgements from those entrusted to lead. Corruption is not an anomaly. It has become the rule. This betrayal is not theoretical. It unfolds in three distinct ways affecting the working class, black professionals and unemployed youth differently but equally destructively. For the working class, the betrayal is material and immediate. The state that should protect their safety and dignity instead leaves them exposed to criminal syndicates and collapsing infrastructure. The 2023 Public Procurement Review found that over R28 billion in state tenders were under investigation for fraud, largely in service delivery sectors such as housing, roads and water. That is not inefficiency; it is institutional neglect. For black professionals, success itself becomes suspicious. According to a 2021 study by the South African Medical Association, black practitioners face significantly higher audit rates from medical aid administrators. Many skilled professionals report a pattern of systemic bias where regulatory scrutiny falls harder on those without legacy networks. The very mechanisms designed to ensure compliance become traps that obstruct transformation. And for the unemployed youth, of whom 8.9 million are not in education, employment or training (Statistics South Africa, 2024), the betrayal is existential. Young people are blamed for disengagement while entire sectors fail to absorb them. Corruption in skills agencies and jobs programmes has diverted billions away from future building efforts. According to the Auditor-General, more than R5.2 billion in irregular expenditure was flagged across youth-targeted initiatives between 2018 and 2022. These are not just numbers; they are broken promises. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ What we are witnessing is not merely administrative failure but cultural amnesia paired with the death of consequence. In traditional African societies, wrongdoing was never ignored; it was confronted. But punishment was not exile. Instead, harm was brought to the centre of the community and confession was the first rite of repair. A chief who erred would step down not because he was shamed but because he was honourable. Ubuntu, the ethic that binds us to each other, demands accountability not for punishment's sake but for healing. Archbishop Desmond Tutu reminds us: 'There is no future without forgiveness, but forgiveness does not mean forgetting; nor does it mean impunity.' Today, however, our state culture increasingly mimics an imported logic of severance. We cut off the problem, the person or the department not to heal but to distance. We shuffle portfolios, suspend officials indefinitely or quietly retire the scandal. This 'cut-off culture', a borrowed posture from Western bureaucratic systems, offers no reintegration, no learning and no transparency. It is alien to African traditions which emphasise truth-telling and restoration over cosmetic damage control. Some may argue that not all African leadership models upheld this ideal and they would be right. History offers many examples of rulers who betrayed these principles. But these exceptions should not define our norms. We cannot build national character on the lowest common denominator. Ubuntu is not a myth; it is an unclaimed inheritance. We dishonour it not by failing perfectly but by ceasing to try at all. Restoration without remorse is manipulation. True Ubuntu-based justice dignifies consequence; it does not erase it. Yet the dominant model of leadership today treats admission of wrongdoing as political suicide rather than moral courage. The result is silence, secrecy and systemic rot. The cost of corruption in South Africa is not only measured in rands and lost infrastructure; it is a theft of thenational soul. According to national estimates, South Africa loses over R186 billion annually to corruption. During the Covid-19 pandemic alone, over R2.1bn in flagged contracts were found to be fraudulent and yet few faced trial. Surveys show that 76.2% of citizens fear retaliation for reporting corruption and 48% believe most police officers are corrupt. This is not just a governance crisis; it is a breakdown of civic trust. In every sector, a new lesson is being taught. Speak out and you fall. Stay quiet and you may be next generation is internalising this code. And when truth becomes a career risk and integrity is punished, the long-term cost is not only institutional decay; it is moral disintegration. Understanding how we got here is critical if we are to chart a path forward. South Africa's institutional crisis is not only about leadership personalities. It is about system design. Inherited colonial architectures were repurposed for post-1994 governance without reengineering the logic of power. As Frantz Fanon warned, colonial mimicry allows the oppressor's tools to be adopted by the formerly oppressed, producing new elites with old appetites. Mahmood Mamdani described the post-colonial African state as 'bifurcated': liberal in language, authoritarianin instinct. We adopted the language of rights and democracy but embedded them in bureaucracies allergic to transparency and allergic to remorse. Seen through the lens of risk governance, this is not merely a political flaw; it is a structural vulnerability. What we lack is not awareness of risk but the systems to manage it. Whistleblower protections exist on paper but are routinely violated. Ethics committees are undermined by internal loyalties. Audit findings are tabled but never resolved. And where risk detection mechanisms are present, they are often neutered by political interests. Professor Pali Lehohla once remarked: 'Institutions do not fail all at once. They collapse incrementally, when truth is first ignored, then tolerated and finally institutionalised as normal.' That is where we stand today. As Morena Mohlomi once warned King Moshoeshoe, 'You are a leader because you are a servant to the people. Once you forget to serve, you lose the right to lead.' We are losing that right, and with it, the soul of the nation. This is a call to the honest, to the South Africans who still believe integrity matters not as a slogan but as a survival principle. Restoring public trust will not begin with national conferences or anti-corruption week slogans. It will begin with institutional courage and public visibility. That means public confessions by those who have erred. It means resignations with remorse not resistance. It means truth-and-reconciliation with consequence. We must reimagine leadership as stewardship not entitlement. We must move from secrecy to transparency, from shame to truth, from denial to repair. Cultural restoration is not about nostalgia; it is about reintroducing accountability as a moral norm not a political calculation. We can no longer afford to outsource integrity to the next administration, or the next election cycle, or the next commission of inquiry. Those who remain honest must step forward and hold the line not only in courtrooms but in boardrooms, classrooms and living rooms. South Africa's fight is not only against corruption. It is against forgetting. Against forgetting who we are, whatwe inherited and what we owe to those who still believe in a country worth saving. This is the moment to flip the nation right-side up. Not for spectacle. Not for revenge. But for restoration. Nomvula Zeldah Mabuza is a Risk Governance and Compliance Specialist with extensive experience in strategic risk and industrial operations. She holds a Diploma in Business Management (Accounting) from Brunel University, UK, and is an MBA candidate at Henley Business School, South Africa. Image: Supplied Nomvula Zeldah Mabuza is a Risk Governance and Compliance Specialist with extensive experience in strategic risk and industrial operations. She holds a Diploma in Business Management (Accounting) from Brunel University, UK, and is an MBA candidate at Henley Business School, South Africa. *** The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media or IOL. BUSINESS REPORT
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- The Citizen
Mbombela community stunned as slain doctor's husband charged with her murder
The suspect arrested in connection with the murder of Dr Nondumiso Sibanyoni briefly appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court today. The community was shocked to discover that it was the doctor's husband, Sifiso Vusimuzi Sibanyoni (39), who allegedly shot his soon to be ex-wife on November 20, 2024, in the Virgin Active Riverside parking lot in Mbombela. Lowvelder reports protesters gathered in front of the court and chanted slogan like 'Killer, you are heartless' and 'Forward with the justice system, down with the killers of women and children', in an outcry against gender-based violence against women. Family members, including the victim's father, Vusi Nkosi, and mother, Busisiwe Mazibuko, joined the protest. The victim's colleague, who is the chairperson of the South African Medical Association Lowveld branch, Dr Sifiso Nxumalo, shared his appreciation for the arrest. 'We are happy to finally learn that there has been a breakthrough in the space of seven months after our colleague was brutally murdered. This is quite unusual in femicide cases. We congratulate the SAPS for the incredible work they have done in investigating this matter,' said Nxumalo. Sibanyoni was remanded in custody pending his next court appearance on Tuesday, July 15, for a formal bail application. The Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, previously said Sibanyoni was fatally shot at around 06:00 on November 20. 'She was walking towards the gym after parking her car at the parking lot of Virgin Active Riverside. A Toyota Starlet drove towards her, and a gunman exited the vehicle and shot her three times before fleeing the scene. Nothing was stolen from the victim,' Mdhluli said. The police and paramedics responded to the scene. Sibanyoni was lying on the ground outside her car and was declared dead by the medical personnel. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Beat the bug: your guide to surviving flu season in South Africa
Taking natural remedies can help soothe symptoms of flu especially if you're feeling under the weather. This seasonal increase has drawn significant attention to the influenza virus, its various types, symptoms, and the measures we can take to protect ourselves during the colder months. The South African Medical Association is expressing concern about a significant increase in flu cases as winter 's icy grip takes hold of South Africa. What is influenza? The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) defines influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, as an acute respiratory illness caused by an infection of the respiratory tract. The flu is not just a simple cold; it can lead to severe health complications, especially in vulnerable populations such as the elderly, young children, and those with pre-existing health conditions. Two primary types of influenza circulate among humans: Type A and Type B. Influenza A is particularly concerning this season, with subtypes A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) being the most prevalent. The A(H1N1)pdm09 subtype is often recognised as "swine flu", a term that can evoke anxiety among the public, especially when reports suggest that the virus is spreading rapidly. However, medical professionals reassure the public that this strain behaves similarly to other seasonal influenza viruses, and infected individuals should be treated as they would for any typical case of flu. Importantly, no specific public health interventions are necessary for contact with patients infected with the virus. Understanding the spread of influenza Flu is highly infectious and can spread easily from person to person. Transmission primarily occurs through the inhalation of infected respiratory droplets released when an infected individual sneezes, coughs, or even talks. It is also possible to contract the virus by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth, eyes, or nose. This highlights the importance of hygiene practices, particularly during the flu season. To further understand the spread of the virus, it is essential to note that the flu can be transmitted even before symptoms appear. This asymptomatic transmission makes it challenging to control outbreaks, as individuals may unknowingly spread the virus to others. Therefore, maintaining good hygiene practices and being aware of the symptoms is crucial in curbing the spread of influenza.
IOL News
08-06-2025
- Health
- IOL News
'No mask mandates yet', but precautions urged as flu and Covid subvariant spread
Health experts urge caution as new COVID variants and flu circulate this winter. Mask up if symptomatic and avoid large gatherings to protect vulnerable groups. Image: FILE As South Africa heads into the 2025 winter season, the South African Medical Association (SAMA) and international health experts are raising awareness about rising flu cases and emerging COVID-19 Omicron subvariants, including NB1.8.1, currently detected in multiple countries. SAMA chairperson, Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, clarified in a recent interview with Newzroom Afrika that while there is no formal call to reintroduce mask mandates, precautionary measures remain important. He said, 'If you have symptoms, whether flu symptoms or similar symptoms, it's always good to protect those that are around you by putting on a mask, but making sure that you don't attend gatherings, large gatherings, if you have flu symptoms.' The new COVID-19 variants are being closely monitored worldwide, with the World Health Organisation classifying NB1.8.1 as a variant under observation, said Mzukwa. 'We're looking at its spread, its severity, but it's early days. There's nothing to worry about at the moment,' Mzukwa said. He said while COVID-19 continues to circulate at low, endemic levels in South Africa, the main concern remains protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly those with underlying health conditions. The alarm would only be raised if hospitalisations increase or healthcare facilities come under significant pressure. Addressing pandemic fatigue, Mzukwa highlighted the importance of ongoing public education: 'It is critical for the medical association and other organisations to continue educating the public, not to make them panic, but to say there is this that we're facing.' 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 ✕ He also stressed the importance of vaccination, especially for flu: 'It is very important that we encourage communities to get vaccinated, especially for flu, so that if you are in a vulnerable group, you can be protected against severe illness.' With flu season in full swing, Mzukwa urged responsible behavior to limit the spread: 'If your child has flu symptoms, don't send them to school. You need to protect other children, especially those with underlying medical conditions.' He reminded the public that masks are not just for COVID: 'Masks were not only meant for COVID. It was also meant for the flu. If you've got flu symptoms, you protect other people in the workplace and the community.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel IOL News
Eyewitness News
29-05-2025
- Health
- Eyewitness News
MPs question Motsoaledi spending R9 million to hire 12 counsel to defend NHI
JOHANNESBURG - Members of Parliament (MPs) have questioned Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi over the hiring of 12 counsel at a cost of R9 million to defend the National Health Insurance (NHI). But Motsoaledi has defended the expenditure, saying litigation comes at a high cost and the department needs the expertise of senior counsel as it defends its flagship universal healthcare policy. The minister was briefing the National Assembly as part of the social cluster in Parliament on Wednesday. Motsoaledi said his department is facing several lawsuits challenging the NHI as well as the National Health Act. He justified the expenditure, saying litigation in its nature is costly to defend. Some of the organisations taking the department to court include the South African Medical Association (SAMA) and the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF). "Those who have been involved in litigation will know how expensive senior counsel is. It's not us. So, it's seven cases, seven junior counsel, and five senior counsel." President Cyril Ramaphosa is also facing his own NHI-related legal challenge after the court ruled that his decision to sign the act was reviewable, ordering him to provide the record of his decision. He is appealing the ruling.
