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Ramaphosa accepts IDAC head's resignation amid inquiry interference claims

Advocate Andrea Johnson has resigned as Head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) with immediate effect, prompting the DA to emphasise the need for an independent inquiry free from interference.

President Cyril Ramaphosa accepted Johnson's resignation following recommendations from Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Advocate Andy Mothibi.

The resignation follows explosive testimony heard earlier this month at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. Witnesses accused Johnson of improperly interfering with a criminal investigation involving suspended Crime Intelligence Major General Feroz Khan.

The allegations suggest that Johnson illicitly obtained sensitive information regarding a police assault docket and forwarded it directly to Khan.

Compounding the controversy, Johnson repeatedly failed to appear before the commission to answer these claims. Her most recent absence, excused owing to an urgent hospital visit on the day she was scheduled to testify, drew sharp rebukes from the commission's chairperson and various political observers.

Prior to her resignation, the MKP had mounted pressure on the State, calling on Mothibi to suspend Johnson over the interference allegations.

Johnson ultimately directed her request for an immediate release from office to both Mothibi and Ramaphosa.

In a statement, Ramaphosa thanked Johnson for her "years of dedicated service" in the NPA and at the IDAC.

The President pledged government's "unwavering support" for the NPA's leadership and staff.

Reacting to the development, DA spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development, Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach, noted the resignation but cautioned against pre-empting the inquiry's final outcomes.

"The DA will not speculate on the implications of the evidence or seek to pre-empt the Commission's findings," Breytenbach said.

She emphasised, however, that the situation highlights a broader institutional crisis.

"Public confidence in institutions tasked with combating corruption depends on transparency, accountability, and the willingness of those entrusted with public responsibilities to be held to the highest ethical standards," she said.

Breytenbach said South Africans deserve a "full and credible" account of the allegations, urging that the Madlanga Commission be allowed to complete its mandate independently, without "fear, favour, or prejudice".

Crucially, the DA argued that this controversy proves the current structural model is flawed.

Breytenbach asserted that the evidence presented so far highlights a "dire need" for a truly independent anti-corruption body situated completely outside the structures of the NPA.

NEW LEADERSHIP

With the resignation, the IFP emphasised that safeguarding the rule of law requires an unyielding commitment to transparency.

The party expressed "qualified confidence" in the upcoming appointment processes, insisting they must be conducted "transparently and without delay" to ensure seamless continuity in the national fight against corruption.

The IFP highlighted a "broader, systemic concern" regarding the vulnerability of the country's legal frameworks and urged the strengthening of South Africa's criminal justice system and anti-corruption institutions.

Chapter 9 bodies' inquiry into GBVF justice failures backed by Parliament

A joint inquiry by three Chapter 9 institutions could finally expose the systemic failures denying justice to survivors of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), according to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, which has promised rigid oversight of the inquiry.

This follows a landmark announcement by the Commission for Gender Equality, the South African Human Rights Commission, and the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Rights Commission to launch a coordinated national investigation.

The organisations will scrutinise what they say is the justice system's ongoing inability to effectively respond to GBVF.

Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities chairperson Liezl van der Merwe labelled the initiative as long overdue.

"South Africa cannot afford a justice system that fails victims of gender-based violence and femicide. We expect this inquiry to identify the shortcomings that continue to undermine justice for survivors," she said.

The committee highlighted that survivors are routinely left without adequate support, and noted Parliament's previous statutory rape inquiry, which exposed deep-rooted flaws in the State's protective mechanisms.

Van der Merwe pointed to "chronic delays" in processing cases through the courts, mishandling and loss of crucial evidence and the insensitive treatment of survivors by officials, leading to re-victimisation.

The committee plans to maintain tight oversight to ensure the inquiry yields "real-world results rather than empty promises".

The committee provisionally blocked out time in its fourth-term programme to receive the inquiry's initial findings.

Parliament intends to use regular engagements to force State institutions to translate recommendations into meaningful action.

Van der Merwe explained that the ultimate objective remains placing survivors at the centre of the justice ecosystem.

Shanthie Naidoo honoured for fierce anti-apartheid resilience

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation (AKF) on Friday paid tribute to anti-apartheid stalwart Shanthie Naidoo Tweedie (91) following her passing on Thursday, highlighting her extraordinary courage during 371 days in solitary confinement.

The foundation described Naidoo Tweedie's "extraordinary legacy", declaring her passing as the "end of an era". It said it was honouring a life "defined by quiet dignity, fierce resilience, and an unshakeable commitment to justice".

The AKF extended its condolences to her husband Dominic Tweedie, as well as the Naidoo and Pillay families.

"Shanthie taught us that while the body can be locked away, a principled soul can never be imprisoned," the AKF stated. "May her long-awaited rest be peaceful, and may her name forever be spoken with the reverence, honour, and love she so richly deserves."

Born in Pretoria in 1935, Naidoo Tweedie spent much of her youth resisting the oppressive laws of the apartheid regime.

During this time, she worked with the Transvaal Indian Youth Congress and the Federation of South African Women, or FEDSAW, leading protests, organising community boycotts, and distributing anti-apartheid literature across Gauteng.

In 1969, she was held in solitary confinement by the apartheid police under the brutal Terrorism Act.

The notorious Security Branch subjected her to extreme sleep deprivation and severe torture, while the State sought to pressure her into becoming a star witness in the infamous Trial of 22.

Facing indefinite imprisonment, Naidoo Tweedie refused to testify against her friend, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, and the other co-accused activists.

As a result, she was kept in brutal detention for 371 days.

Later, Madikizela-Mandela would express her love and respect for her fellow freedom fighter.

For years, the apartheid government denied Naidoo Tweedie an exit permit to go into exile. AKF said it took immense international pressure and the direct intervention of liberal MP Helen Suzman before Naidoo Tweedie was finally permitted to leave South Africa in September 1972.

Though she was stripped of her citizenship and barred from returning to South Africa, her departure from Jan Smuts Airport became a powerful act of defiance, the foundation stated.

She returned to South Africa with her husband in 1991.

In 1997, Naidoo Tweedie and her siblings stood before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to testify against the systematic cruelty of the apartheid State.

Court halts Phala Phala impeachment process, Ramaphosa pledges cooperation

The Western Cape High Court has granted President Cyril Ramaphosa an urgent interim interdict, pausing Parliament's Section 89 impeachment process.

Delivered on Friday, the ruling halts the parliamentary process pending a separate legal review regarding the Phala Phala game farm scandal.

Last month Ramaphosa asked the court that impeachment proceedings be paused until the court finalises a separate application by the President for a review of an independent panel's report on an incident at the President's Phala Phala game farm.

In a statement following the ruling, the Presidency stated that the President respects the ruling, and that he sees it as a "validation of judicial independence" and the separation of powers as per the Constitution.

Spokesperson to the President Vincent Magwenya stressed that the President remains "fully committed" to cooperating with lawful accountability mechanisms.

Concurrently, Parliament's Section 89 Impeachment Committee chairperson Makashule Gana confirmed that the committee has noted the court's pause on public hearings.

Gana specified that the committee will study the judgment fully to establish whether processing evidence or configuring framework rules can legally continue while the public phase remains on hold.

MIXED REACTIONS

The ANC has welcomed the court ruling, stating that it affirms the President's constitutional rights and it urged other political parties to respect the judiciary's decision and to "cease politically motivated distortions".

The ANC said it deeply respects the independence of the judiciary and "welcomes the legal clarity" in the ruling.

The party noted that the judgment removes legal hurdles, allowing the courts to hear the judicial review application to set aside the Section 89 Panel Report "unencumbered".

The ANC said the judgment "vindicates its core conviction regarding equality before the law".

The party said it will study the full judgment in detail before releasing comprehensive commentary.

However, the DA has asserted that the recent court judgment does not clear Ramaphosa of wrongdoing, and it does not determine the truth of the allegations against him.

DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis clarified that the ruling strictly establishes the procedural sequence between judicial and parliamentary processes.

While acknowledging Ramaphosa's right to legal recourse, the opposition party emphasised that public accountability "must remain paramount".

The DA is pushing for an immediate conclusion to the legal deadlock and called on the judiciary to grant priority court dates, citing "immense national importance".

Hill-Lewis insisted that the review application must be resolved with the highest degree of urgency, stressing that legislative scrutiny must not grind to a halt while awaiting final court decisions.

The DA urged Parliament to continue with preparatory steps, if they are legally allowed under the current court order, to ensure the impeachment committee is ready when the judicial review concludes.

The party said Ramaphosa must be granted a comprehensive and proper opportunity to respond to all allegations, and it maintained that the presidency cannot be used as a shield to place any individual beyond public and legal scrutiny.

ActionSA, meanwhile, expressed "deep concern" over the court's decision to grant an interim interdict, warning that it risks "turning justice delayed into accountability denied".

ActionSA Parliamentary Chief Whip Lerato Ngobeni said while the party respects judicial independence, it is "increasingly worried" that constitutional accountability is becoming "hostage" to procedural litigation.

Ngobeni pointed out that successive court applications that routinely suspend impeachment proceedings threaten to make Parliament's constitutional oversight powers illusory.

The party noted the court's dissenting judgment, which argued that Ramaphosa failed to establish a valid basis fo...

DA lays Public Protector complaint against McKenzie over R110m fund

The DA has officially filed a complaint with the Public Protector against Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, alleging that he violated his oath of office to benefit his inner circle and the PA party.

The complaint accuses McKenzie of breaching the Executive Members' Ethics Act and the Executive Ethics Code through systemic maladministration, abuse of power, and improper benefit, arguing a potential conflict between the Minister's executive responsibilities and his party-political interests.

According to DA spokesperson on Sports, Arts, and Culture Leah Potgieter, the primary complaint centres on McKenzie appointing key PA members to strategic positions.

McKenzie appointed a six-member adjudication panel for the 2025/26 Mzansi Golden Economy fund.

Three members – Steve Motale, Vernon Vraagom, and Francisco Tejada – were active members of the PA at the time of their appointment.

Motale was simultaneously serving as the PA's national spokesperson.

Departmental leadership has reportedly linked the appointments directly to the Minister. Both the Deputy Minister and the department's director-general confirmed that McKenzie personally established the panel's requirements and handpicked its members.

"This means that the Minister determined the rules, selected the panel, and appointed active members of his own political party to decide how nearly R110-million would be distributed," Potgieter stated.

The DA highlights that there is still no transparent, full accounting of where the R110-million was distributed.

While the R110-million fund was established to uplift artists and expand the creative economy, the DA contends it was instead weaponised to create financial and political opportunities for the PA.

McKenzie is facing intense scrutiny after the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture spent roughly R31-million on a delegation to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Following public outcry over the disparity, he swiftly approved R3-million in emergency funding to fully fund the National Hockey Teams' World Cup campaigns.

The expenditure breakdown has sparked a fierce national debate regarding the equitable distribution of sports funding in South Africa.

While athletes in various sporting codes are frequently forced to hold personal fundraisers and seek GoFundMe donations to afford international plane tickets, the government's 2026 FIFA World Cup delegation managed to spend about R31-million.

The official travel and accommodation bill for the trip accounted for nearly R7.9-million, used to transport 18 government officials and 20 artists.

Opposition parties, including the DA and ActionSA, have strongly condemned the expenditure.

Both parties have formally demanded that the Minister provide a transparent, line-by-line accounting of the World Cup spending, citing a suspicion that these funds could have been better allocated to struggling local sporting federations.

The R3-million funding follows reports that the South African Hockey Association was facing a funding shortfall of about R3-million ahead of the tournament, and that members of both national squads risked having to personally cover a significant share of their own World Cup costs.

McKenzie explained that in recent days, national team players have spoken publicly about the financial strain of representing the country, describing out-of-pocket costs running into tens of thousands of rand per player once flights, accommodation, visas and tournament fees are accounted for.

He said the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will transfer the funding subject to the conclusion of a formal funding agreement and full compliance with all applicable governance, financial management and reporting requirements.

"As a condition of the support, SA Hockey has been required to submit a comprehensive report on the circumstances that gave rise to the shortfall, to account in full for the utilisation of the funds provided, ...

Ramaphosa clears Andrew Chauke to resume DPP duties

President Cyril Ramaphosa officially exonerated Gauteng South Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Advocate Andrew Chauke, following findings by the Nkabinde Panel of Enquiry that he is, indeed, fit to hold office.

As a result, Chauke, who had been on precautionary suspension since July 2025, is set to resume his duties at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

The enquiry, initiated in September 2025 under the National Prosecuting Authority Act, reviewed Chauke's fitness to continue leading the Johannesburg-based prosecuting office.

The enquiry was established by Ramaphosa after former National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Advocate Shamila Batohi raised concerns regarding his prosecutorial decisions.

Chauke was investigated across several major controversies, but the independent panel, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Bess Nkabinde, assisted by Advocate Elizabeth Baloyi-Mere SC and Attorney Matshego Ramagaga found no credible evidence against him.

The panel concluded there was no credible evidence showing Chauke took the contested prosecutorial decisions regarding the Cato Manor Organised Crime Unit, nor that he acted unlawfully in his coordination functions.

The panel found that Chauke's 2011 decision to provisionally withdraw murder and related charges against former Crime Intelligence head General Richard Mdluli, and refer the matter to an inquest, was not irrational. This aligns with previous findings by the Supreme Court of Appeal.

After evaluating the documentary evidence, expert opinions, witness statements, and legal submissions, Ramaphosa stated he is satisfied that there is no basis to declare Chauke unfit.

The President communicated the outcome directly to Chauke, thanking him for his cooperation. Ramaphosa expressed his trust that the conclusion of this inquiry will allow the DPP to continue discharging his constitutional responsibilities.

South Africa unexpectedly holds rates as it flags growth risks

The South African Reserve Bank defied expectations and held interest rates steady to support economic growth after revising its inflation forecasts lower, while warning that the renewed conflict in the Middle East could justify more tightening.

The six-member monetary policy committee maintained the benchmark policy rate at 7%, Governor Lesetja Kganyago told reporters in Pretoria on Thursday. Only three of 20 economists surveyed by Bloomberg had expected a hold. The rest predicted a 25 basis point increase.

"The inflation outlook has improved slightly since our last meeting, but inflation is still too high, while growth is weak," Kganyago said. "We are setting policy to achieve 3% inflation over time, ensuring the current supply shock does not de-anchor inflation expectations."

Four members backed the hold and two favoured a 25-basis point increase.

The committee highlighted risks to growth from weaker consumer and business confidence, while noting that most of the inflation overshoot has so far come from higher fuel costs. It said goods prices have been relatively well contained, while cautioning that for services inflation, conditions look problematic.

While policymakers held steady as oil and urea prices spiked this month after the intensification of fighting between the US and Iran, they outlined a scenario in which they would need to hike again if consumer prices remain persistently above their 3% target and spills into food costs and core inflation.

The fallout from the Middle East conflict has impacted inflation across the world. South Africa's decision follows rate holds in Nigeria and Canada this month and hikes in Ethiopia and South Korea.

South African inflation rose at its fastest pace in two years in June to 5%, moving further away from the central bank's 3% target. It is forecast to stay about 4% until early next year and is now seen averaging 4% over 2026 as a whole, compared with 4.4% previously.

Officials see economic growth at 1.4% this year, compared with a previous forecast of 1.2% while warning that it could slow in the second and third quarters.

Their closely watched quarterly projection model showed adjustments for the policy rate to 6.79% by year end from 6.7%.

Parly extends deadline for Phala Phala enquiry evidence leader

Parliament's Section 89 Impeachment Committee met on Wednesday to deliberate on the nominations for an evidence leader and review the draft terms of reference that will guide its upcoming enquiry, deciding to extend the deadline for parties to consult.

Committee Chairperson Makashule Gana announced plans to finalise the consideration of candidates during the committee's next scheduled meeting on Wednesday, July 29.

Following that meeting, the committee will submit a formal recommendation to Parliament, which holds the sole authority to make the final appointment.

Political parties have been granted a strict deadline until 18:00 on Friday to consult with one another. Political parties were previously required to submit their initial nominations by July 10.

This aims to foster broad consensus regarding the enquiry's terms of reference. The resulting recommendations will be officially reviewed with the evidence leader selection on July 29.

In a major development, the committee resolved to seek formal guidance from its legal advisers regarding the legal position of President Cyril Ramaphosa's appearance and testimony.

The sought-after legal counsel must address the appearance requirements regarding the President's testimony before the committee and legal implications if the President elects not to testify during the proceedings.

"The committee must ensure that all its decisions and procedures remain consistent with the Constitution and the law," stated Gana.

"This question has arisen repeatedly in the committee. It is therefore important that we obtain clear legal advice and ensure that the committee remains on the correct side of the law."

The decision comes amid an intensifying legal standoff tied to the ongoing Phala Phala scandal. Last week, Gana represented Parliament in a courtroom battle against Ramaphosa.

The legal friction intensified in June when the Section 89 Impeachment Committee resolved to formally oppose the President's urgent court application. Ramaphosa's legal bid directly attempts to halt the committee's inquiry and block the impeachment process from moving forward.

The committee also resolved to invite the authors of the Section 89 Independent Panel report to brief it on the report and its findings regarding the Phala Phala matter.

Gana said the committee will write to the members of the panel that was chaired by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo and request that they make themselves available.

Godongwana set to remove PIC chair – Report

South Africa's finance chief is preparing to oust his deputy from the position of chairman of the board of the Public Investment Corp (PIC), the State pension fund manager that's been wracked by corruption and instability, News24 reported.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana called a general meeting of the PIC for July 27 at which the PIC's non-executive directors and his deputy, David Masondo, would face a shareholder vote for removal, the Cape Town-based news website said, citing a notice issued by the minister. The PIC is 100% State-owned and Godongwana acts as the government's shareholder representative.

The removal of Masondo would be unprecedented in the history of the PIC. South African law requires the board be chaired by a deputy minister within the so-called economic cluster of ministries, which include finance, trade and mineral resources.

Godongwana's plans come a week after Masondo suspended the fund's chief executive officer over alleged governance issues. The PIC is Africa's largest pension fund, with about R3.6-trillion under management.

South Africa inflation jumps more than expected in June

South African inflation picked up more sharply than expected in June, bolstering expectations that the central bank will deliver a second consecutive interest rate hike on Thursday.

Annual headline consumer inflation accelerated to a two-year high of 5.0% in June from 4.5% in May, data from Statistics South Africa showed on Wednesday. Economists polled by Reuters had expected a reading of 4.7%.

The transport category was the largest contributor to both the annual and monthly rises in the Consumer Price Index, as the Iran war sent fuel prices sharply higher.

Annual core inflation, which strips out volatile items like food and energy, came in at 4.1% in June, also above economists' forecast for a reading of 3.9%.

RATE HIKE NOW LOOKS MORE CERTAIN

The South African Reserve Bank aims to keep inflation at 3% and will announce its next interest rate decision on Thursday.

The majority of analysts polled by Reuters were predicting a rate hike even before Wednesday's inflation reading.

"The table is laid for a 25 basis point hike in interest rates," said independent economist Elize Kruger.

Since the last policy meeting in May, a survey showed a sharp rise in inflation expectations, a measure closely watched by the central bank.

The bank raised its inflation forecasts for 2026 and 2027 to 4.4% and 3.7%, respectively, in May, from previous estimates of 3.7% and 3.3%.

"The unexpected upside surprise in the June CPI print, along with the deterioration in household inflation expectations, both seal the case for July tightening," Standard Chartered economist Razia Khan said.