Tributes pour in for Mosiuoa Lekota

"South Africa has lost a patriot, a freedom fighter, and a servant of the people whose life story is closely intertwined with the country's journey of struggle and the realisation of democracy," said President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday, as he expressed sadness at the passing of former Premier of the Free State and co-founder of the Congress of the People (COPE) Mosiuoa Lekota.

Lekota, 77, passed away in a Johannesburg hospital in the early hours of Wednesday morning after a prolonged battle with ill-health.

Ramaphosa described his life as one of resilience and courage, and said Lekota held a steadfast belief in justice.

"We honour him especially for his principled dedication to non-racialism during our struggle and in a liberated South Africa," said Ramaphosa.

Lekota served as the first Premier of the Free State from 1994 until 1996 and as Minister of Defence from 1999 until 2008 under President Thabo Mbeki.

Lekota was also a long-serving member and national chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC).

Lekota was also instrumental in the establishment of the National Council of Provinces, which allows communities all over the country to be heard and represented in the national legislature.

In 2008, following Mbeki's ouster as ANC and State President Lekota left the ANC to co-found COPE with former fellow National Assembly member Mbhazima Shilowa.

Ramaphosa said Lekota's establishment of COPE reflected his commitment to the values and principles by which he had lived.

"We will remember Mosiuoa for his patriotism, his intellect, and his personable nature, and we will continue to work for the inclusive, non-racial South Africa for which he sacrificed so much and worked so passionately," Ramaphosa ended.

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen described Lekota as a patriot and a man of substance, saying his commitment to principled politics and his willingness to stand firm in defence of democratic values earned him respect across the political spectrum.

"One need not always have agreed with him to appreciate his dedication to our country's success. From his activism on the ground, to Robben Island, to democratic politics, he dedicated all he had to give to the service of the South African people," he stated.

Steenhuisen pointed out that Lekota contributed immensely to the country's democratic Parliament, and remained a steadfast advocate for constitutionalism, accountability, and the rule of law.

"This cost him more than many realise. He could have been a lifelong cadre, a beneficiary of rot and patronage. All he had to do was keep quiet. But he chose a different path, a more difficult one. He showed courage and inspired many, myself and many of my DA friends and colleagues included," he said.

He highlighted that while he and Lekota may have differed at times on matters of policy and approach, they shared a common commitment to upholding the Constitution and strengthening the country's democracy.

"South Africa has lost a seasoned leader whose voice and experience played an important role in shaping our country's democratic discourse," Steenhuisen said.

ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said Lekota's passing marked the departure of a figure whose life intersected with important moments in the history of South Africa and the struggle for freedom.

In commemorating the thirtieth anniversary of the Constitution and Human Rights Month, the party stated that Lekota left an "indelible footprint" beside these milestones.

GOOD Party leader Patricia de Lille extended her heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Lekota.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lekota family and the members of COPE during this time of mourning. May his soul rest in peace," she said.

Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Chief Whip in the National Assembly Nhlanhla Hadebe said Lekota would be remembered for his "fearless" leadership during the struggle against apartheid, his dedicatio...

Govt affirms importance of preserving heritage, unveils Mandela, Tambo statues

President Cyril Ramaphosa said in erecting former President Nelson Mandela and former African National Congress (ANC) President Oliver Reginald Tambo's statues, government is affirming the importance of preserving the country's heritage for the benefit of future generations.

Speaking during the unveiling of the statues in KwaZulu-Natal, Ramaphosa announced that eThekwini would be the venue for the forty-sixth Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to be held in August.

He explained that having Mandela's and Tambo's statues in the same city honours their "distinct but interlocking contributions and roles in the liberation struggle".

Ramaphosa said the statues were a "worthy recognition" of the progress made by all social partners in restoring confidence in Durban as a city, and encouraged completion of this work.

"We look forward, as the chair of SADC, to invite leaders from across the region to gather here in eThekwini – where the African Union was launched – to deliberate on issues that are critical to the growth and development of Southern Africa," he stated.

He said it would be a fitting tribute to Mandela and Tambo's legacies.

"Monuments of this nature are important for preserving our history and heritage. They anchor the collective memory of a nation. They are important as a public affirmation of the values which these leaders represented and the principles for which they fought," Ramaphosa expressed.

He argued that statues such as these provoked questions and initiated conversations not only about their value but also about the country's past.

"…the presence of Mandela and Tambo in bronze ensures that their stories and, indeed, the story of our country remains embedded in the landscape of daily life, not confined to textbooks," he said.

The statues have been unveiled in the year that South Africa celebrate 30 years of the adoption of its democratic Constitution.

Ramaphosa reminisced that it was Tambo who initiated the drafting of the ANC's Constitutional Principles, which were developed while liberation movements were still banned and while apartheid oppression was at its height.

And 10 years later, Mandela signed South Africa's democratic Constitution into law.

Ramaphosa said these statues were more than just art.

"These statues are promises – promises made by a free people to themselves that they will not forget what it cost to be free.

"The erection of the statues is an act of national gratitude, of saying to those who gave everything, and to the Mandela and Tambo families, that we do remember the sacrifices that they made by both these leaders and their families," Ramaphosa added.

MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT

Ramaphosa noted that the relationship between Mandela and Tambo was founded in a desire for justice, saying they sought to solve conflict through dialogue.

"These men of peace would have been gravely concerned by the conflict underway in the Middle East. They would have called for the United Nations Charter to be respected and upheld. They would have joined us in calling for an immediate ceasefire and for the conflict to be resolved through meaningful and earnest negotiations," he said.

The Middle East is experiencing a massive regional escalation in conflict, following a joint US and Israeli military campaign against Iran, in which Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed.

SACP, EFF meet to prepare for joint Conference of the Left

The South African Communist Party (SACP) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have agreed to establish a joint working group to participate in preparations for the Conference of the Left, through the establishment of a steering committee to develop a programme that defends democratic gains while advancing economic emancipation.

The working task team will comprise members from both organisations.

The Conference of the Left is set to take place ahead of the 2026 local government elections, with the aim of uniting "progressive forces".

On Monday both parties held a "constructive" bilateral meeting in Johannesburg, as they reflected on domestic and international political and economic situations.

The SACP delegation was led by general secretary Solly Mapaila and the EFF delegation was led by leader Julius Malema.

The EFF said there was consensus that criticism within the left was necessary, but that "it must not degenerate into paralysis that leaves neoliberal and right-wing forces unchallenged".

"…departing from a shared overarching critique of the global capitalist system with its domestic manifestations, in both historical and contemporary context, the bilateral meeting affirmed an ongoing cooperation rooted in anti-capitalist values and national transformation objectives," the SACP said.

The EFF raised the need to urgently rebuild worker confidence through concrete programmes, such as the insourcing of workers and the cancellation of student debts, calling on the SACP to "join the struggles" inside and outside Parliament.

Malema emphasised that poverty had reached intolerable levels warning that South Africans had exercised "extraordinary patience" in the face of conditions that could easily result in social explosion.

The SACP said the bilateral meeting affirmed an ongoing cooperation rooted in anti-capitalist values and national transformation objectives.

"As the SACP, we maintain our commitment to building a popular left front to deepen the working-class struggle against capitalist oppression and laying the foundation for socialism," the party said.

DA wants investigation into Tshwane's water tankers, as it unveils new billboard

The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Tuesday urged the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and President Cyril Ramaphosa to extend the Rooivaal wastewater treatment plant investigation to include the payment of water tanker invoices in City of Tshwane (CoT).

The SIU is investigating allegations of corruption, maladministration and tender irregularities regarding a failed R295-million upgrade contract.

Speaking in Pretoria at the unveiling of a billboard, DA CoT mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink claimed invoices, essentially paid by taxpayers, did not correlate with the number of tankers on the streets.

He claimed that spending on water tankers to areas that should have water had increased from less than R2-million to more than a R1-billion.

Last year, the party launched an investigation into R777-million used for water tankers, saying water tanker operators seem to be the biggest beneficiaries of the African National Congress (ANC) coalition.

DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said as water leaks, water tankers, and empty water towers dot municipalities across the province, it is "inexcusable" for Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to make "flippant remarks" that are detached from the lived reality of the millions of residents.

Last month, Lesufi sparked public outrage after saying he often had to shower at a hotel because of water outages in the province.

"This billboard is essential to tell Panyaza Lesufi that it is unacceptable to show such contempt for the people of Gauteng. No resident can afford to hire hotel rooms to get a shower because your failing government denies them water at home," said Msimanga.

He said no municipality in Gauteng would be able to turn around issues of water, electricity and roads on its own, announcing that the DA has offered to give Lesufi its Master Plan to implement. However, the DA said the ANC refused the plan.

Msimanga claimed that ANC-run municipalities "move from crisis to crisis, and leak to leak".

ANC OUT OF TOUCH WITH VOTERS

Meanwhile, ahead of the local government elections, DA City of Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille expressed confidence that the ANC would lose its majority in every single municipality in Gauteng.

"Whether we can get a majority 50% plus 1 is a big challenge and a big question, but what we know for sure is that the ANC is going to lose their majority," she stated.

Zille said service delivery is one of the main issues that will affect the ANC's performance, also claiming the party's leadership had lost touch with voters.

"We know of all the corruption that is going on but there is another reason that many people do not analyse properly: the ANC leadership has completely lost touch with the people," she said.

Allocations for reform of services in metros linked to performance targets – Ramaphosa

In his newsletter on March 2, commenting on the Budget delivered the week before, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that R19.2-billion will be reallocated over the medium term to the reform of electricity, water, sanitation and solid waste trading services in metros, with these allocations to be linked to performance against clear targets.

The Budget acknowledges that many municipalities are in financial distress, driven by weak revenue collection, poor management and substantial service delivery backlogs.

Many municipalities are not spending appropriately, with water and electricity revenue not invested in infrastructure maintenance or expansion over several years, but instead redirected to cover other municipal costs.

Local government finances have to be placed on a more sustainable footing to support the delivery of basic services with this Budget, he said.

The Municipal Infrastructure Grant is also being reformed to address underspending and the misuse of funds, he added.

Over the next three years, R86.9-billion has been allocated under this grant to support the provision of free basic services to indigent households.

Further, after interest payments, the social wage accounted for more than 60% of government spending for this financial year, which will enable the provision of healthcare services to 84% of the population and free basic services to more than 11-million indigent households, and the payment of social grants to 26.5-million beneficiaries.

This social wage allocation in the Budget will also support about 13.6-million learners at school, Ramaphosa said.

"Every allocation in the Budget is a developmental choice to ensure there are teachers in classrooms, nurses and doctors in clinics, electricity and basic services in homes and businesses, infrastructure to grow the economy and employment opportunities for communities.

"This Budget builds on the progress made over the last few years to stabilise, reform and transform our economy. Improvements in public finances, stabilising debt, a narrowing budget deficit, credit rating upgrades and improved market confidence all signal the beginning of an economic recovery," he said.

The stabilisation of public finances provides space to accelerate public investment, sustain the social wage and direct resources to reforms that drive growth and job creation, he added.

"This year's Budget focused on three imperatives, namely maintaining fiscal sustainability, driving inclusive growth and protecting society's most vulnerable. It is a balanced budget that reflects the realities of our economy, limited financial resources, high unemployment and urgent infrastructure needs," Ramaphosa said.

Effective infrastructure lowers the cost of doing business, raises productivity and supports exports.

R1-trillion in public spending has been allocated to infrastructure over the next three years to build and maintain roads and rail lines, expand energy infrastructure, and build and maintain water and sanitation infrastructure.

Yet, government cannot finance the full scale of infrastructure South Africa needs and is mobilising investment from private and other sources, as well as opening the space for public-private partnerships.

"We are maintaining State ownership of strategic national infrastructure," said Ramaphosa.

"We will continue to be guided by fiscal discipline, structural reform, targeted investment and a commitment to improving the material conditions of every South African. A stable macroeconomic environment boosts investor confidence and increases government's capacity to invest in growth and poverty relief without compromising sustainability," he said.

Meanwhile, business organisation Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) CEO Busisiwe Mavuso said the Budget delivered encouraging signals for business confidence and infrastructure investment.

While not addressing every challenge, it demonstrated con...

ANC NEC condemns Motsepe's leadership campaign

The African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) has taken a decision to halt leadership campaigns in the run-up to its 2027 National Conference.

The party said it was gravely concerned about the activities around the so-called "PM27" campaign related to South African billionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe.

Motsepe is rumoured to be positioning himself to contest the presidency of the ANC in 2027, to replace President Cyril Ramaphosa as the party leader.

The ANC said it decided to stop leadership campaigns to safeguard organisational unity and protect internal processes.

The ANC condemned the "PM27" campaign and called on all those involved to "desist immediately".

"Any activity that seeks to prematurely mobilise for leadership positions stands in direct contradiction to this collective resolution," said ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu.

She said the ANC was currently preparing for and contesting the upcoming local government elections.

"Our structures, deployees and members are expected to direct all energy and resources toward strengthening governance, improving service delivery, rebuilding communities, and consolidating the confidence of the electorate," she stated.

The ANC alleged current parallel leadership campaigns were "divisive, distract from the core work of the organisation, and amount to an attempt to derail the ANC from its historic mission and responsibilities."

She said appropriate steps would be taken to ensure adherence to the decisions of the NEC and added that the movement would not allow "ambitions to undermine organisational discipline and unity".

Presidency assumes control of Iran naval inquiry from Defence Department

The probe into Iran's participation in the BRICS Plus naval exercises, held in South Africa in January, is being relocated from the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans to the Presidency.

This is to "ensure an independent and timeous probe", according to the Presidency.

President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the investigation into the participation of Iran in the Chinese-led Exercise MOSI III Will of Peace, after his request for Iran to withdraw from the drills was ignored.

Initially launched by the Department of Defence, the inquiry will now be overseen by the Presidency, with the Presidency arguing that the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force.

The investigative panel, which will report directly to Ramaphosa, will be chaired by Justice Bernard Ngoepe, who will be assisted by Justice Kathleen Satchwell, Justice Mashangu Monica Leeuw and Rear Admiral (Junior Grade) Patrick Duze.

They will investigate why the President's orders were ignored, identify individuals who are responsible and make recommendations on possible actions to be taken.

The Presidency noted that owing to national security reasons, the panel's work will be confidential, and that the President will decide, based on recommendations, whether or not to make the findings of the investigation public.

"The Panel will have the power to summon any member of the defence force and/or public service it needs, and to request for all documents, including classified documents, to fulfil its mandate," the Presidency said.

The panel will have one month to complete its work and furnish its findings, but this could be extended by the President if there is "compelling cause".

EFF lays criminal charge against Paul O'Sullivan

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Friday laid a criminal charge against Forensic analyst Paul O'Sullivan for allegedly contravening the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act 4 of 2004, saying his refusal to complete recent testimony raised concerns of potential obstruction of accountability processes.

This after O'Sullivan abruptly exited a hearing of the Ad Hoc Committee, established to investigate allegations made by the South African Police Service's (Saps') KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, while still under cross examination.

The EFF argued that this conduct violated Section 17 of the Act, which states that a person who refuses to give evidence, or fail to remain in attendance without being excused, could be held in contempt of Parliament.

In its affidavit, EFF deputy secretary general Leigh-Ann Mathys mentioned that O'Sullivan walked out despite objections raised by members of the committee and the committee chairperson.

"…his departure was deliberate, voluntary and in direct defiance of the authority of the committee."

Mathys said this constituted a prima facie contravention of Section 17.

O'Sullivan returned to conclude his testimony on Thursday. He first appeared before the committee on February 10 following National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza's refusal to issue subpoenas on him and businessman Brown Mogotsi.

Mathys claimed that O'Sullivan showed disrespect for the authority of the chairperson, refused to comply with lawful questioning and that he interfered with witnesses.

She said Parliament cannot function effectively if witnesses are permitted to take an oath, answer selectively and then abandon proceedings at their will.

She highlighted that the investigation has already produced "serious" prima facie evidence suggesting the existence of a wider network involving corruption, political interference with the Saps and possible protection of organised criminal activity.

"Mr O'Sullivan is not a peripheral figure in these proceedings, but a central witness of significant interest.

"His refusal to complete his testimony under oath raises reasonable concern regarding potential obstruction of accountably processes," said Mathys.

She pointed to the need for urgency in the matter, claiming that O'Sullivan is a person of "substantial means".

"I therefore demand that the South African Police Service register and investigate this matter with immediate effect and ensure that no delays or institutional conflicts of interest undermine the administration of justice," urged Mathys.

Meanwhile, Didiza has requested an urgent report on the matter from the chairperson, indicating that action may be considered in terms of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act and the rules of the National Assembly to safeguard the integrity of Parliament.

Cape Town Mayor to run for leadership of DA

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said he'll stand for election as leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa's second-biggest political party, a contest he's widely expected to win.

John Steenhuisen has led the DA since 2019, but he announced earlier this month that he won't stand for another term when the party holds its elective conference in April. Nominations for a successor opened on Friday.

"I will be seeking a specific mandate, a mandate to build a stronger DA," Hill-Lewis told reporters in Cape Town. "If we are to build a stronger South Africa, we must have a stronger DA."

The DA, which garnered 22% support in the last national elections in 2024, is a member of President Cyril Ramaphosa's 10-party coalition government.

Hill-Lewis, 39, has served as mayor of South Africa's second-biggest city since 2021 and won praise for his management of the tourism and financial-services hub. He's said he intends to seek re-election to that post in upcoming municipal elections, a job he can do while concurrently leading the DA.

Moody's says South Africa budget 'confirms' strong fiscal stance

South Africa's latest budget painted an encouraging picture of improving public finances, according to Moody's Ratings, while cautioning that "meaningful" debt reduction will require stronger economic growth.

The budget "confirms South Africa's strong fiscal performance, underpinned by broad-based revenue growth, and points to improving fiscal prospects," said Evan Wohlmann, Vice President-Senior Credit Officer at Moody's.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's annual budget presentation on Wednesday showed debt and debt-service costs peaking this year and then declining, helped by surging precious-metals prices that have boosted government revenue. The rand and government bonds rallied.

In his speech to lawmakers in Cape Town, the minister said the world had taken note, citing S&P Global Ratings' decision in November to grant South Africa its first upgrade in two decades.

That lifted S&P's assessment to BB from BB-minus and also put it on a positive outlook, which South African officials said was as good as two ratings upgrades.

The move raised hope that the country is on track to restore the investment-grade rating it lost as public finances deteriorated under former President Jacob Zuma, whose tenure in office was marred by corruption scandals, mismanagement and soaring debt levels. Moody's rates South Africa Ba2 — two notches below investment grade.

National Treasury Director-General Duncan Pieterse said his team was actively engaging credit-rating companies to encourage them to recognise the country's progress.

"We have taken a much more proactive approach, interrogating the modelling of some of the ratings agencies, questioning some of those assumptions and making our case of fiscal credibility," he told reporters in Cape Town. "Over time, hopefully, that will assist in the potential for ratings upgrades."

Moody's cut South Africa to junk in 2020, after similar moves by S&P and Fitch several years before. While it's upbeat about the outlook after the budget, it stressed the need for stronger economic growth.

"South Africa's fiscal space to absorb shocks will remain limited," Wohlmann said. "We expect general government debt will remain above 80% of gross domestic product in the coming years and meaningful debt reduction likely hinges on growth exceeding our baseline."

Others agreed that the ratings companies will want to see tangible results before upgrading their assessments.

"We expect that if GDP growth improves in first half 2026, a positive outlook from Fitch and Moody's might emerge toward the year-end," said Citigroup Inc.'s South Africa economist, Gina Schoeman.