Polity.org.za Audio Articles

Ekurhuleni budget passed after major ANC concessions

The DA used its voting leverage to force major budgetary concessions from the ANC in Ekurhuleni after three failed budget votes threatened a provincial administration takeover.

Key budget concessions secured by the DA include increased property rates to be capped at just 1.5%, legal protection for infrastructure funding for roads, electricity, water, and sanitation and a new specialised unit to be established to fight illegal connections and power theft.

A monthly service delivery tracking dashboard will be published for public transparency, non-essential luxury spending will be frozen to prioritise basic services and stricter financial oversight and consequence management protocols are now mandatory.

The City of Ekurhuleni's proposed R71-billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year was in limbo following repeated deadlocks in the municipal council.

Opposition parties, including the DA, EFF, and ActionSA, had continuously voted down the budget owing to concerns over aggressive tariff hikes and unrealistic financial assumption.

DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga stated the intervention prevents a provincial administration takeover, which would have handed metro control to a Gauteng Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC from the EFF.

The DA maintains this is a victory for residents rather than the ANC, proving the opposition can enforce fiscal discipline and protect South Africa's fourth-largest metro from financial collapse.

Family of Zambia's ex-leader should choose his burial site, South Africa court says

A South African appeals court ruled on Tuesday that the family of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu should decide where he is buried, overturning a lower court's order that Zambia's government could repatriate Lungu's body for a state funeral.

Lungu, who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, died in South Africa a year ago while undergoing medical treatment.

His body has remained in South Africa since, as his family and the Zambian government have wrangled over whether he should be buried at a site designated for Zambia's former presidents in the capital Lusaka, or privately in South Africa as his family prefers.

Lungu and his successor, current President Hakainde Hichilema, were longstanding political rivals, and his family says Lungu would not have wanted Hichilema to be present at his funeral.

In its judgment on Tuesday, South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal said the Zambian government had failed to show it had a legal right under South African law to override the family's wishes on where and how Lungu should be buried.

It also rejected Zambia's argument that a binding agreement had been reached with the family over the funeral, saying that evidence pointed to ongoing negotiations rather than a final deal.

Zambia's Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha did not answer a phone call seeking comment on Tuesday's ruling.

South Africa's government has said it has an obligation to respect the wishes of Lungu's family, but it also said it felt a state burial in Zambia would be the most fitting outcome for the former leader.

Lungu drove Zambia deeply into debt during his roughly six years in power. The country defaulted on its international debt in 2020, precipitating his election loss.

Hichilema will seek re-election for a second five-year term at an election in August.

Salga demands intervention in political attacks ahead of local elections

The South African Local Government Association (Salga) has issued an urgent call for stronger measures to curb political violence and killings following a bloody weekend that left four politically affiliated individuals dead across three provinces.

The attacks come as the country prepares for the 2026 local government elections, raising alarm bells over the safety of democratic processes.

The latest wave of violence struck communities in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Gauteng.

In Cape Town a by-election candidate was targeted and shot dead, in Gqeberha a ward councillor was gunned down, and in the West Rand two men affiliated with a political party were killed.

Salga has extended its condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in these attacks, condemning them as callous acts of violence and warning that these deadly incidents are not isolated occurrences but part of a deeply concerning, cyclical pattern of violence that historically intensifies around election periods.

Data from Salga's Municipal Violence Incident Reporting system reveals hundreds of incidents, ranging from threats and intimidation to assassinations, recorded in the local government sphere from 2000 to date.

The organisation emphasises that political violence directly undermines the foundations of South Africa's democracy and discourages competent citizens from serving in public office, while it erodes the integrity of electoral processes.

In response to the escalating crisis, Salga is demanding that political killings be treated as priority crimes. The association called on law enforcement agencies to launch urgent, decisive probes into the weekend's assassinations to apprehend those behind them.

It also wants law enforcement to deploy heightened police presence and security forces in identified violence hotspots and fast-track cases through the courts.

Salga notes that the consequences for these crimes must be visible enough to send an "unequivocal message that violence has absolutely no place in democratic contestation".

Beyond police intervention, Salga places a heavy responsibility on political organisations, candidates, and local communities to uphold the values of peaceful democratic contestation.

The association states that political parties must act decisively against internal intimidation, inflammatory conduct, and factional violence.

As the 2026 local government elections draw closer, Salga states it remains committed to working alongside the government, law enforcement agencies, and all relevant stakeholders to safeguard the integrity of the upcoming polls and ensure the safety of both councillors and communities.

Police deployed as anti-migrant deadline looms

South Africa will deploy more police this week to deter possible violence before a June 30 deadline set by xenophobic protest groups for foreigners to leave the country.

"There has been mobilisation around this issue over a period of time and we expect it to continue after June 30, so we have plans in place," Firoz Cachalia, the acting police minister, said in an interview with State-owned broadcaster SAfm on Monday.

Vigilantes have in recent weeks carried out attacks on foreign nationals in several parts of the country, prompting Malawi, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria and Zimbabwe to help more than 3 000 of their citizens to return home.

More protests by anti-immigrants groups are planned in South Africa's eastern KwaZulu-Natal province on Monday.

The demonstrations have stoked fears of a recurrence of violence in KwaZulu-Natal and the commercial hub of Gauteng in July 2021 that followed the jailing of former President Jacob Zuma. The week of deadly riots marked the worst civil unrest in South Africa since the end of White-minority rule in 1994, leaving more than 300 people dead and thousands of businesses looted or burned down.

"We don't want a repeat of that, so we're not going to take any chances," Cachalia said. "We have good information about the levels of mobilisation and the places of mobilisation around this issue."

Xenophobic attacks are a regular occurrence in South Africa, with foreigners being blamed for unemployment, crime and pressure on public services. Gross domestic product in the continent's largest economy expanded by an average of less than 1% annually over the past decade, and the country's jobless rate is among the highest in the world.

In addition to deploying officers to potential hotspots, police ministry officials will meet with provincial and city leaders, private security companies and community policing forums to ensure that "the political leadership and the leadership in civil society is prepared for any eventuality," Cachalia said.

Ramaphosa urges African health sovereignty, self-reliance in wake of Ebola outbreak

President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the critical need for African nations to establish self-reliance during health emergencies.

Stressing that health security is deeply tied to economic development, Ramaphosa believes Africa can no longer afford to be at the "back of the global queue" for vital medical supplies, as witnessed during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Writing in his weekly newsletter to the nation on Monday, Ramaphosa urged the continent to build the capacity to protect itself before the next global crisis strikes.

He outlined a comprehensive strategy to fortify domestic health systems, emphasising that preparation cannot wait until an outbreak occurs.

He suggested the establishment of public health institutes in every African country and that every community health worker must be empowered with proper resources, alongside the deployment of early tracking systems to detect new diseases, and the manufacturing of local diagnostics, medicines, and vaccines.

He also urged for the strengthening of the African Medicines Agency to standardise regulation and the creation of centralised procurement systems to guarantee steady demand for local producers.

He highlighted that African nations are already shifting from passive recipients of aid to active managers of their own crises, noting that continental leaders have officially agreed to establish the African Epidemics Fund and that African nations are actively self-funding responses to recent Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

South Africa has pledged $13.5-million to the Africa CDC to treat and limit the spread of Ebola.

Ramaphosa warned that the spread of dangerous diseases severely disrupts economies, arguing that health security is directly linked to continental development, safety, and economic stability.

As the appointed African Union Champion on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response, Ramaphosa stated that South Africa will continue to demand a fair global pandemic agreement built on equal partnership rather than charity.

He urged governments not to let their guard down, despite other pressing domestic challenges such as unemployment, poverty, crime, and corruption.

Home Affairs extends hours for voter registration weekend

The Department of Home Affairs will extend its operating hours nationwide this weekend to support the Electoral Commission of South Africa's (IEC's) Voter Registration Weekend.

All Home Affairs offices across the country will open on Saturday and Sunday from 08:00 to 17:00.

Citizens are urged to visit their nearest branch to apply for a new card or collect their ready documents. More than 370 000 Smart ID cards currently sit uncollected at Home Affairs offices.

Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber emphasised that this initiative aligns with the department's long-term "Home Affairs @ home" vision to make services more accessible.

"By extending operating hours nationwide during Voter Registration Weekend, Home Affairs is making it easier for citizens to obtain the Smart ID Cards they need to register and participate in our democracy. We are bringing services closer to the people while advancing our commitment to delivering dignity for all," Schreiber said.

The Electoral Commission has confirmed total readiness across all 23 706 voting stations nationwide, with 22 718 permanent stations, 960 temporary stations and 28 mobile stations for remote communities.

The national voters' roll has grown to 28-million registered voters, up from 27.7-million during the 2024 general elections. While online registration remains a vital growth driver, physical registration is crucial for the upcoming local government elections.

In local government elections, voters must vote at the specific voting district where they are registered. There is no legal mechanism to vote outside your registered district.

The IEC urges all citizens to use this weekend to update their address details, and ensure they are placed in the correct ward segment.

ANC hails 'milestone' as Post Office applies to exit business rescue

The ANC has welcomed the South African Post Office's (SAPO) application to exit business rescue, hailing the move as a critical turning point in restoring the State-owned entity to operational health.

The decision marks a significant step in a broader turnaround strategy designed to ensure SAPO can fully discharge its national postal and digital mandates.

Central to this milestone has been a major R381-million government investment injection.

The ANC emphasised that this financial support played a pivotal role in maintaining continuous daily operations, safeguarding jobs, and providing relief to 5 956 employees who faced severe economic uncertainty.

According to the ruling party, the structural progress achieved during the rescue process is aimed at transforming SAPO into a "highly viable, service-oriented institution".

Beyond fixing internal operations, the party explained that this stabilisation is a key component of a larger national agenda, intended to rebuild public trust in key national institutions while restoring confidence in government's overall capacity to manage State-owned enterprises.

Ultimately, a revitalised Post Office is expected to contribute meaningfully to local economic development, job creation, and broader economic transformation, the party said.

Reaffirming its position on State-owned infrastructure, the ANC believes that the Post Office remains one of South Africa's most vital strategic entities.

The formal application to exit business rescue is seen as a development that instils long-term hope, stability, and commercial credibility back into the institution, the party said.

Dean Macpherson urges police to find xenophobic agitators

Public works and infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson called on law enforcement agencies to act against those responsible for violence against migrants, warning that the attacks are tarnishing the country's international reputation.

"We have duty and responsibility to protect the vulnerable, we have a duty and a responsibility to enforce our immigration laws," Macpherson told reporters at a Foreign Correspondents' Association of Southern Africa event at Bloomberg's office in Johannesburg on Friday.

"But we also have a duty and responsibility to find those that are agitating for violence and hatred, and of course, international perception is important."

South Africa's cabinet is due to discuss the matter on Friday as a June 30 deadline set by anti-immigration protesters for foreigners to leave approaches.

The tensions have prompted Malawi, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria and Zimbabwe to assist more than 3 000 of their citizens to return home.

The unrest reflects a broader rise in anti-immigrant sentiment, with foreigners increasingly blamed for unemployment, crime and pressure on public services. At 32.7%, South Africa has one of the highest jobless rates in the world.

The demonstrations have stoked fears of violence on a scale that erupted in South Africa in 2008, when 62 people died and more than 50 000 others were forced to flee their homes in a wave of xenophobic attacks. It has also sparked anger across the continent and calls for retaliation against South African businesses.

"We've seen some statements, fairly or unfairly against South Africa, but you know we have to deal with that, and we also have to protect the image of the country" Macpherson said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa on June 7 announced plans to clamp down on illegal immigration. Over the past month at least 7 400 undocumented migrants have been arrested for contravening immigration laws.

"We have to allow the law enforcement authorities to drive law enforcement and not individual citizens of the country," Neville Matjie, Brand South Africa chief executive officer, said at the same event.

Floods inflict record R9bn damage on Cape

Recent flooding in South Africa's Western Cape province, which includes the tourist hub of Cape Town, caused more than R9-billion of damage, a total that's expected to rise once final assessments are completed.

"Our infrastructure budget for this year is 10 billion rand and the cost of the storm damage means that the whole provincial budget will have to be re-prioritised," Deidré Baartman, the region's finance minister, told reporters in Cape Town on Thursday.

Torrential rains that lashed the province last month inundated a number of informal settlements and at least 12 people lost their lives. At least 231 000 people were directly impacted by the inclement weather, and some 3 690 required temporary shelter, according to the provincial disaster management agency.

The Western Cape government will approach the national cabinet to free up at least R100-million in disaster funding that can be used to repair infrastructure, according to Premier Alan Winde.

"Never before, have we had such a cost caused by storm damage," he said.

South Africa is facing increasingly intense and frequent storms as climate change amplifies extreme weather, raising the risk of flooding, infrastructure damage and economic disruption. Earlier this year, the Kruger National Park in the northeast of the country, was forced to shut after the worst flooding since at least 2000 inundated large parts of the wildlife reserve.

ANC slams DA's proposed GNU reshuffle as 'populist, contradictory'

The ANC on Thursday launched a scathing attack on its coalition partner the DA, claiming its recent Cabinet reshuffle proposals expose "deep political contradictions and a selective respect" for South Africa's Constitution.

The political friction erupted following a request by DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis for President Cyril Ramaphosa to execute a reshuffle of the DA's team within the Government of National Unity (GNU).

On Wednesday Hill-Lewis asked Ramaphosa to remove John Steenhuisen as Minister of Agriculture and replace him with Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Willie Aucamp.

Hill-Lewis requested that Ramaphosa move Steenhuisen to the role of Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic); David Maynier to the position of Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment; and Alexandra Abrahams to Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy.

Hill-Lewis also wants Yusuf Cassim to be appointed as Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, and Jack Bloom to take up the position of Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation.

The ANC countered the DA's public announcement, reminding it that appointing and removing members of the national executive is the sole constitutional prerogative of the President.

The party stated that executive deployments are not subject to the directives of opposition parties, lobby groups, or coalition partners.

According to the ANC, by framing these internal deployment decisions as a direct expectation for presidential action, the DA is showing a "selective and opportunistic respect" for the Constitution.

This public reshuffle has raised serious questions within the ANC regarding the DA's genuine commitment to the GNU's foundational Statement of Intent, the party warned.

The ANC emphasised that all parties entering the GNU agreed to respect the country's constitutional architecture. It argued that the DA cannot claim to commit to the GNU while ignoring the authority and responsibilities of the President.

The ANC expressed deep concern over the DA's willingness to use vital economic portfolios to settle internal party friction.

Specifically, the ANC criticised the proposal to move Steenhuisen to the dtic, explaining that the dtic is a critical engine for industrialisation, job creation, investment, and economic transformation, and it should not be treated as a "convenient dumping ground for political under-performers or factional opponents".

Moreover, the ANC took the opportunity to stress that government's foremost responsibility is "true equal opportunity", which cannot exist without dismantling the structural barriers left behind by centuries of colonialism and apartheid.

It slammed the DA's ongoing opposition to broad-based black economic empowerment and other transformation frameworks, accusing the party of actively trying to reverse South Africa's progress toward a non-racial and inclusive society.

While Ramaphosa reflects on these proposed adjustments, the ANC maintains that it remains committed to engaging parliamentary parties to ensure national stability, growth, and nation-building.