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The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has encouraged the council of the Umlazi municipality to do "everything possible" to assist communities, by putting in "extra effort" to supply them with water, particularly since some problems date back to the damage caused by the 2023 floods.

The committee concluded the first day of its week-long municipal oversight visit to KwaZulu-Natal, to assess performance on governance, service delivery and financial management issues.

On Tuesday, residents at the Umlazi meeting aired several concerns about service delivery in the area, such as sewerage leaks and water challenges.

Another issue flagged was billing, where several residents told the committee they were still billed despite not having water for a month.

"Others said they do not understand the city's calculations, as a household with one person and one with six people are billed the same amount," said portfolio committee chairperson Dr Zweli Mkhize.

He explained that regarding the six-kilolitre allowance that was given free to residents some years back and is now being charged again, the committee believed it was "unfair" as communities did not make any preparations for this kind of additional charge.

The committee feels that the municipality must review the matter with understanding for the plight of communities.

"Some community members suggested flat rates. The committee urged the municipality to address this and report on every individual's case to the committee," he said.

The committee will conduct monthly follow-ups and request progress reports from the municipality.

The committee noted concerns about vandalism of water infrastructure and the municipality having to resort to water tankers to supply water in some areas.

"We have encouraged the municipality to invest in its infrastructure. It is important to ensure communities get the water, but the municipality must continue to invest in maintenance of water infrastructure," Mkhize stated.

The committee said some challenges would take a long time to resolve.

"We do understand that it is a lot of work to trace water leaks with about 7 000 pipes the municipality has to monitor for water leaks, but we believe the municipality must invest in technology to enable them to identify these leaks early and make refurbishments," Mkhize said.

Meanwhile, the committee noted positive developments, with the eThekwini municipality having no outstanding debt to Eskom or the water boards, also noting the metro's 93% revenue collection rate.

Mkhize said President Cyril Ramaphosa's deployment of a team to eThekwini was indicative of a "serious deterioration" in the City's impact on the region's economy, with a loss in business confidence, declining tourism numbers and people no longer visiting Durban beaches.

The committee said it believed that it was important for this work to be done in a way that encouraged the City to ensure that when the Presidential working team exited, it did not deteriorate again.

South Africa's government published a series of reforms of the nation's work-visa regulations that are aimed at attracting more professionals to its skills-starved economy.

The Department of Home Affairs said details of the remote work visitor visa and the points-based system for work visas were announced in the official Government Gazette on Wednesday, according to a statement published on its website.

"The gazetting of all required elements for the remote work visitor visa and the new points-based system for work visas amounts to the single most progressive and pro-jobs regulatory reform South Africa has seen in decades," Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said in a statement.

Newly elected Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya assured residents that the anxiety and political instability that has plagued the City is not lost on her, and vowed to place the politics of the past behind and bring stability to the City.

"I am not an ActionSA mayor, or a mayor from any other party for that matter. I am not a mayor for one community or demographic. I am a mayor for all four-million residents of Tshwane, and on that point, I am non-negotiable," said Moya.

Moya, who was the deputy mayor of the City, was elected as mayor on Wednesday with 122 votes, after the Democratic Alliance's (DA's) Cilliers Brink was removed from office when the African National Congress (ANC) and ActionSA joined forces with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to vote him out in a motion of no confidence.

Brink was again nominated for the mayorship on Wednesday, but received 86 votes.

Since taking office as deputy mayor under Brink's mayorship, Moya said she had dedicated much of her time to engaging with councillors, officials, and residents across all seven regions of the City.

She acknowledged that many residents were facing significant challenges in accessing basic services and opportunities, and noted the gap between the rich and the poor, which she said was becoming a defining characteristic of the City.

She vowed to "work tirelessly" to bridge the gap and ensure that a just and inclusive City was created.

"The provision of quality basic services to all residents of the city is not a matter of politics, but a matter of principle. As a government, we owe this basic dignity to everyone we serve. The services received in our affluent areas will be the services received by our people in the previously disadvantaged areas. We will not make a choice between one or the other but work to improve services for all," Moya stated and stressed that this will be her focus for the next two years.

She promised financial discipline, balanced with a sense of fairness and duty to fellow residents.

She acknowledged the multi-party coalition in the City and stressed the need for parties to work together,

"So, hear me clearly, esteemed Tshwane residents, I am committed to leading a caring and responsive government, guided by the belief that our residents deserve better. I am here to work; work with me. Let's restore our great capital and set the standard for every other city in our great Republic," Moya said.

PARTY REACTIONS

While the GOOD party expressed optimism with Moya's election, saying it will bring "much-needed stability" to the capital city and improve service delivery, the DA criticised the new coalition in the metro.

GOOD was one of the parties in the opposition benches that voted in favour of ousting Brink, noting that the continued "decline of the City could not be left unchecked."

GOOD City of Tshwane Councillor Sarah Mabotsa claimed that townships have been heavily neglected, and that illegal dumping and sewerage spills have become the norm.

She said her party expected Moya to lead the City with a clear vision, integrity and dedication.

Meanwhile, ousted former mayor Brink claimed that Moya will be in office, however, she will not be in power, saying that "her strings will be pulled" by the ANC's Gauteng factions and the EFF.

"This is not a commentary on her skills or qualifications. She was a capable deputy mayor in the Tshwane multi-party coalition which her party brought to a fall," said Brink.

He said the ANC's choice of governing Tshwane with parties opposed to the Government of National Unity signified a "reunion between the ANC and its former radical economic transformation faction and bodes ill for the financial rescue mission underway in the City of Tshwane."

"To cover what is essentially a Doomsday Pact, the ANC and their chaotic Gauteng factions have installed a proxy mayor from a small party. The proxy mayor model allows the ANC and the EFF to battle for resources while blaming their poor performance on a hapless third party," he sta...

African National Congress (ANC) secretary general Fikile Mbalula said on Tuesday the approach of the Democratic Alliance (DA) that the ANC should either bring back former Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink or nothing, is not acceptable to the party's National Working Committee (NWC).

The Tshwane Council is set to elect a new Executive Mayor on Wednesday, after Brink was removed from office when the African National Congress (ANC) and ActionSA joined forces, with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), to vote him out in a motion of no confidence.

Mbalula said the ANC is engaging all political parties that are keen to work with it to set up an "inclusive, viable and effective" coalition government that puts the people of Tshwane first before party political interests.

He explained that the ANC has engaged with the DA in Tshwane, however, there has been no agreement between the parties about what should happen in Tshwane now but is confident that the Council will elect a new Mayor on Wednesday.

"…peddling of misinformation that we have a deal, there is no such. If there is a deal between the DA and all other political parties and the ANC about Tshwane, that will be explained to the public. Because when you get to the coalition, is not an under-table agreement, you need to explain to the people," Mbalula said.

"We are also discussing a programme that must be rolled out by the new government in the form of comprehensive minimum programme," he said.

He said by Wednesday evening, the ANC will be ready to reveal the developments around the new Tshwane Mayor and the executive, in relation to the parties the ANC is engaging.

"…and that includes the Democratic Alliance," he explained.

Mbalula said this evening he is meeting with the parties' structures, highlighting that the ANC does not take decisions for structures.

"…they bring decisions to the floor, and we process them, discing with them. We are not a dictatorship, we are not autocratic, we engage, but artificial and fake heroism that our structures are independent from us when it comes to decision making, they vary away from strategic approach the organisation is taking, are incorrect," he said.

He said the party will never allow such perception to be perpetuated, as they are lies.

He said in its discussions with the structures, the party is also looking at all risks, noting that there are no options in the coalition without risks.

The NWC received a detailed report on Tshwane, which noted the deterioration of service delivery and governance in the city.

"… the NWC fully supports the need to put in place the type of government of local unity that can urgently address the pressing concerns of the people across the City," Mbalula said, stressing the need for the new government to prioritise all Tshwane residents, and not only some sections of the population.

He said the ANC's NWC has also noted the speculations in the media and on social media regarding the correspondence sent to the party's Gauteng chairperson Panyaza Lesufi.

The NWC expressed concerns about Lesufi's public utterances on matters relating to the Government of National Unity and coalitions in local municipalities.

The correspondence deals with internal organisational matters, Mbalula stated and said the NWC condemned "disinformation efforts" that project the ANC in negative light.

"…unfortunately, because people are ill disciplined, they have decided to leak the correspondence to their friends in the social media," he said.

South African food producers and retailers have been slow to pass on the effects of declining cost pressures to cash-strapped consumers, an issue that may warrant further investigation, the nation's antitrust agency said.

Cost pressures are easing because of an end to rolling power outages, the rand's strength against the dollar and declining fuel costs, the Competition Commission said in a report published October 4. Still, essential-food prices "remain high and are increasing at a rate that is unaffordable for low-income households."

The antitrust body began a probe last year into what it described as an unjustified increase in essential-food prices spawned by factors including the coronavirus pandemic and the impact of Russia's war with Ukraine. Annual food inflation eased to 4.1% in August from a peak of 14.4% in March 2023, according to Statistics South Africa data.

More than a third of South Africa's workforce is unemployed, and about ten-million people live off a R350 ($20) monthly government grant.

Faced with a large number of people who have limited disposable income, South African food retailers have to compete vigorously on price and inflation and their price levels have "generally been below official food inflation every year for the last ten years," said Nedbank Group analyst Paul Steegers.

While South Africa's food inflation is officially measured across a static basket, the retailers measure their internal inflation across a changing basket of goods depending on consumer demand. That means retailers are also taking into account so-called downtrading as consumers look to cheaper products, Steegers said. This is seen in consumers more regularly forgoing brands and buying the stores own-label items instead.

Still, the probe found some notable exceptions where prices have risen and then failed to adjust lower as production pressures have eased. A "steep decline" in the cost of producing cooking oil hasn't translated into lower average retail costs and egg prices remain "considerably higher" than they were before an outbreak of avian flu, it said. The price of brown bread has also increased despite lower farmgate prices for wheat.

Hampered by months of rolling blackouts, South African grocers have had to buy diesel for backup generators. Shoprite Holdings, Africa's largest supermarket chain, spent R254-million on the fuel at its South African supermarkets in the six months through June. While that was about half of what it spent on diesel in the second half of last year, the cost of backup power solutions has eroded profit.

Now, as rolling power cuts have eased "some retailers have accumulated the diesel savings and reinvested it into shelf prices - as opposed to returning the savings to shareholders," said Ya'eesh Patel, an analyst with SBG Securities. This is being driven "by an extremely competitive grocery retail market," he said.

Shoprite, Pick n Pay Stores, The Spar Group and Woolworths Holdings have all pointed to their internal inflation being lower than the official inflation rate over multiple reporting periods.

Even so, the study found that the price of a basket of essential food increased more than 50% between September 2020 and May 2024, becoming less affordable for households earning the national minimum wage.

That is, a month of work in October 2020 would have earned a minimum-wage worker R3 654, leaving a shortfall of R263. The same worker would have earned R4 634 rand in May 2024, leaving a shortfall of R697, the commission said. This highlights how many households still face the risk of food insecurity, it said.

Overall, an uptick in the country's economic growth, combined with "robust competition in both the formal and informal markets are likely to sustain consumer friendly shelf prices as retailers vie for a limited, but growing consumer wallet," Patel said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed sadness at the killing of six community patrollers in Qumbu, in the Eastern Cape, saying this should strengthen government's resolve to stop criminals from terrorising communities.

The horrific shooting, on Sunday, also saw four others critically injured.

Ramaphosa said the patrollers were reportedly preparing for duty at their base at Lugongozo Senior Secondary School when attackers struck with an assortment of firearms.

Government said this senseless act of violence was totally unacceptable, vowing that law enforcement agencies would ensure that the perpetrators were brought to book.

Ramaphosa offered his deep condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the survivors a speedy recovery.

"Our thoughts are with the families of these community members who died while playing their part to keep their area safe. Following so soon after an equally tragic shooting at Lusikisiki, this new incident saddens and outrages us," he said.

He explained that criminals terrorised communities in the mistaken belief that they were untouchable.

"They will be brought to justice alongside anyone who harbours such criminals and does not report information to the authorities," Ramaphosa said.

Acting government spokesperson Nomonde Mnukwa said the families of the victims would receive psycho-social support services from government.

Government has called on all sectors of society, including community leaders, civil society and local authorities, to work together in the ongoing fight against crime.

"It is through unity and collaboration that we can create safer communities and prevent future tragedies of this nature. Together, we must stand firm against the scourge of violence and criminality. No one should have to live in fear, and the government will continue to prioritise efforts to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans," said Mnukwa.

The President welcomed the intensive police investigation into the incident, saying the South African Police Service was confident it had produced a positive lead.

ActionSA has welcomed the Independent Electoral Commission's (IEC's) decision to investigate the question of a discrepancy between the declared revenue and the election campaigns of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP).

Last month, ActionSA requested the head of the IEC's Political Party Funding division George Mahlangu to address "significant discrepancies" between the funds reported by the EFF and MKP and the sizable National and Provincial Election campaigns they conducted.

In the first set of disclosures for the 2024/25 financial year, the EFF declared R515 313 of in-kind donations, made by MTN in the form of sim cards, mobile data, minutes and routers, for electioneering.

In March, the MKP declared R380 555 from the South African Policy Education Initiative, a not-for-profit organisation registered with the Department of Social Development.

In its complaint to the IEC against both parties, ActionSA argued that the EFF and MKP seemed to have exceeded their respective disclosed funding, when looking at the scale of their respective election campaigns and urged the IEC to investigate.

"Whilst they indicate no prima facie substance to the complaint, ActionSA welcomes that the IEC has indicated that the question of a discrepancy between the revenue and the campaigns of these parties would be interrogated through the annual financial statements currently under review following the 30 September 2024 deadline," said ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont.

Beaumont said it is crucial for all parties to be held to the same standards to maintain integrity in the electoral process.

He stated that this matter also raised the "toothless nature" of the Party Funding Act that was being interpreted by the IEC to "ignore the obvious fact that the campaigns of these parties are not explicable in relation to their declared revenue."

"Section 12(3) of the Party Funding Act requires that auditors provide a full breakdown of donations received above and below the threshold which, read together with the IEC's response, places the Commission in the position to assess whether the campaigns of these parties could have been lawfully funded based on their revenue," he explained.

He said ActionSA would proactively engage with the IEC on this matter in the months ahead.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) reminded citizens that while the judiciary is not above criticism, this should be done within the ambit of the law, referencing the statement issued by MP Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane following her unsuccessful appeal bid in the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA).

In the statement, Mkhwebane criticised the judiciary and alleged persecution by key figures among the legal fraternity who are South Africans of Indian descent.

She further said the SCA's decision to strike her appeal to remove the chairperson of the Section 194 Committee that was involved with her impeachment, as well as a Democratic Alliance MP that was on the committee, marked a significant setback, not just for her personally but for all those who believed in her role as a protector of public rights and accountability.

The Commission said it noted the public discourse that followed Mkhwebane's statement, wherein members of the judiciary, academia, civil society organisations and society more broadly raised concerns about the racial undertones of the statement.

"Moreover, the right to freedom of expression enshrined in Section 16 of the Constitution must be exercised with due regard to the rights of others, as well as the internal limitations of that right. In this regard, Section 16 (1) of the Constitution stipulates that everyone has the right to freedom of expression, but it should not extend to advocacy of hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion and that constitutes incitement to cause harm, as seen on some social media messaging," it explained.

The Commission said it was closely monitoring the matter, having also noted the public reports about the intention of some interest groups to approach the Commission for intervention.

The Commission said it remained committed to ensuring that no individual or institution undermined the rights to equality, dignity, and justice that were enshrined in the Constitution and in particular the responsibility to protect the judiciary as one arm of the State.

The SAHRC cautioned the public against divisive and discriminatory rhetoric.

"…similarly, public representatives are enjoined by the Constitution to act in a manner that is consistent with their oath of office when making public utterances, particularly when making public utterances that have the potential to bring the judiciary into disrepute on issues that may stir further division in our already fractured society," it added.

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday called on Israel to immediately implement the International Court of Justice's (ICJ's) provisional orders issued earlier this year, while he urged all parties to exercise restraint and to respect international law.

In marking one year since the start of an onslaught on Palestine - following attacks on Israel by Hamas - that has so far claimed more than 43 000 lives, Ramaphosa wrote in his weekly letter to the South African nation that government will, later this month, file a memorial, which is South Africa's full substantive case based against Israel, on evidence, at the ICJ.

The memorial contains detailed evidence to prove that Israel is committing genocide in Palestine.

In December, the South African government brought a case before the ICJ regarding Israel's conduct in the Gaza Strip during the Israel-Hamas war, that resulted in a humanitarian crisis and mass killings.

Ramaphosa said the majority of those killed over the past year are Palestinian civilians, largely women and children, in the besieged Gaza Strip.

"It is alarming that more Palestinians are also being killed in the West Bank due to Israeli Defence Force military activities. More than 1 000 Israelis were killed in the attacks of October 7 last year. Over 100 Israelis remain in captivity in Gaza. There are over 6 000 Palestinians who are languishing in Israeli jails," he said.

He noted Israel's most recent attacks on Lebanon, which has resulted in more than 2 000 deaths.

He said the latest escalation is part of a pattern of violence that spans more than half a century, resulting from the occupation of Palestine.

"Until the occupation is ended, and a just and lasting solution is found that will protect the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians, the region will remain a tinderbox of potential conflict and war," he advised.

Ramaphosa pointed out that a protracted regional conflict that leads to the loss of more innocent lives is something the Middle East and the world cannot afford.

He stressed South Africa's consistent call for a resolution to the conflict and for the release of all hostages.

"…we have also called for the release of all the prisoners unlawfully detained in Israel. We cannot but be moved by the plight of all the families who have loved ones in captivity. With negotiations to secure their release having once again stalled and Israel's bombardment of Gaza continuing, the conflict shows no signs of abating," Ramaphosa said.

He pointed out that amid efforts by the international community to secure a ceasefire, the situation has been worsened by strikes by Israel on Lebanon and by Iran on Israel.

Israel has vowed to retaliate against Iran and Iran has threatened to respond accordingly.

Ramaphosa said the escalating situation in the Middle East is of grave concern, saying it threatens to plunge the region into a war in which civilians will inevitably bear the "greatest and the cruellest brunt" of this conflict.

Ramaphosa stated that South Africa remains committed to a peaceful resolution to ending the occupation of Palestine, to upholding the tenets of international law and to advancing social justice.

The South African government has once again called for an immediate ceasefire to allow for humanitarian aid to reach those in need.

"Beyond an immediate end to the onslaught against Gaza, there is an urgent need for action to stave off starvation and disease among the population. Considerable resources need to be directed to Gaza to start rebuilding infrastructure, housing, social services, agricultural production and economic activity," Ramaphosa said.

Eskom has been using diesel-fuelled auxiliary turbines extensively to stave off power cuts in South Africa following delays in restoring some generation capacity.

The utility fired up the units after 2 685 megawatts of capacity failed to return to service on September 23 as planned, Eskom said in a reply to questions. "Additionally, higher-than-expected electricity demand driven by cold weather has contributed to this situation," it said.

While Eskom has been lauded for preventing rolling blackouts for more than six straight months, plant outages have led to "extensive usage" of the so-called open-cycle gas turbines intended to run during peak demand.

The utility used more power from the units in September than it did during the same month last year. Still, diesel costs to run the turbines from April through last month have been reduced to about a third of the R17.1-billion spent during the same period in 2023, Eskom said.

The outlook of no power cuts, known as loadshedding, through the end of March, "remains in force," it said.