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ActionSA suspends Tshwane ward candidate amid disciplinary probe

ActionSA has placed its Tshwane ward candidate and disbarred advocate Malesela Teffo on precautionary suspension with immediate effect, following his arrest in a contempt of court matter.

The decision was announced on Thursday by ActionSA Gauteng provincial chairperson Funzi Ngobeni, who clarified that the suspension regulates Teffo's participation and status within the party while an internal disciplinary process is underway.

Notably, the party's internal investigation into Teffo was already in progress prior to his arrest on Tuesday.

ActionSA emphasised that the precautionary suspension does not constitute a finding of guilt.

"Teffo will have an opportunity to respond to the matters before the Provincial Ethics and Disciplinary Officer (PEDO), and the process must be allowed to run fairly," Ngobeni stated.

While the suspension remains in effect, Teffo is barred from participating in any ActionSA campaigns or party activities, representing or speaking on behalf of ActionSA and presenting himself as an active representative of the party.

According to Ngobeni, concerns regarding Teffo's conduct were initially referred to the party's PEDO earlier this month.

The referral followed an incident where Teffo appeared at the Johannesburg High Court wearing ActionSA regalia.

When the party's Tshwane structures requested an explanation regarding the courtroom appearance, Teffo's subsequent response prompted further scrutiny.

Following an initial review, PEDO determined that a prima facie basis existed to move forward with a formal disciplinary process.

Teffo's arrest earlier this week introduced new variables that ActionSA's Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) had to evaluate.

After reviewing advice from PEDO alongside these latest developments, the PEC concluded that a precautionary suspension was the most appropriate course of action while the internal process concludes.

PEDO has been instructed to expedite the matter and report its findings back to the PEC urgently.

ActionSA reiterated its stance on public accountability, asserting that its candidates and public representatives must answer for their actions when serious questions are raised.

However, the party maintained that it would respect due process.

"We will not replace a proper disciplinary process with a trial through the media. We will communicate further once the disciplinary process has reached the appropriate stage."

DA launches petition to reject SAPS safety warnings as body of ninth woman found

DA mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni Khathu Rasilingwane has launched a full-scale petition rallying residents and women across the municipality to reject government instructions urging women to "protect themselves".

The launch on Thursday follows the grim discovery of a ninth body in the region, signalling what Rasilingwane describes as a rapidly escalating crisis.

She condemned recent sentiments from the South African Police Service (SAPS) that place the burden of safety on women, arguing that advising women to take better precautions reflects a fundamental failure by leadership to comprehend the daily fear and suffering experienced by residents.

"All that the government offers is an undefined 'lockdown' and a police 'task team.' This is inexcusable," Rasilingwane said. "It is a failure to understand pain and suffering, living in fear every day – not just this week."

In response to the killings, Rasilingwane announced on Wednesday that the DA is offering an additional R500 000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and successful criminal prosecution of the murderer.

Titled "Action, Not Advice", the DA's petition demands that law enforcement shift its focus from policing women's behaviour to actively combating violent crime.

Rasilingwane stated that the SAPS receives billions of rands in taxpayer funding specifically to protect citizens, and it must deliver on that mandate.

The DA has directed an urgent demand to Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia, calling for a substantial increase in police resources, an immediate clearance of the DNA evidence backlog to expedite criminal identification, and the release of reliable gender-based violence and femicide statistics.

The party has urged all South Africans to sign the petition to demand systemic accountability.

President Cyril Ramaphosa officially declared the murders a national crisis, ordering that the investigations receive the highest level of priority from government and law enforcement. A multidisciplinary specialised team has been deployed to work around the clock to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile also broke his silence on the matter, urging law enforcement agencies to collaborate closely with communities and stakeholders.

Mashatile stated that gender-based violence has no place in South African society, adding that men must be at the forefront of condemning these crimes and protecting women and children.

South Africa's consumer confidence rises despite economic uncertainty, survey shows

South Africa's consumer confidence improved in the third quarter, a survey showed on Thursday, although consumer spending is expected to remain subdued in the coming months due to uncertainty stemming from the war in the Middle East.

The consumer confidence index, sponsored by First National Bank (FNB) and compiled by the Bureau for Economic Research, improved to minus 13 points from minus 19 in the second quarter.

The Middle East conflict, which is now in its seventh month, has put pressure on South African household budgets through higher fuel prices, uncertainty over interest rates and fears of inflation.

"Shoppers will likely remain cost-conscious and prioritise necessities over discretionary spending in the run-up to the festive season, suggesting that consumer spending growth will remain muted and that value-for-money retailers may outperform higher-end brands," FNB Chief Economist Mamello Matikinca-Ngwenya said.

The rebound in the quarter was largely driven by stronger confidence among lower-income households, which were more insulated from recent interest rate hikes and benefited from lower food inflation, the survey showed.

The interest rate hike announced by the central bank in May has disproportionately affected middle- and high-income consumers due to a greater exposure to formal sector bank credit and higher spend on durable goods purchases, Matikinca-Ngwenya added.

South African inflation expectations stabilise in third quarter

South African inflation expectations stabilised in the third quarter, a survey showed on Wednesday, after a steep rise in the previous quarter because of the oil price shock triggered by the Iran war.

The quarterly survey is commissioned by the central bank and guides its thinking on the appropriate level of interest rates.

The average forecast of analysts, business people and trade union officials was for headline consumer inflation of 4.4% this year, unchanged from the second-quarter survey.

The average forecasts for 2027 and 2028 declined to 4.0% and 3.8%, respectively, from 4.2% and 3.9%. Those forecasts are important as the central bank says interest rate changes affect the economy with a lag of about 12 to 24 months.

Inflation stood at 4.3% year on year in July, the latest month for which price data is available.

The central bank targets inflation of 3% with a 1-percentage-point tolerance band either side of that.

The bank surprised investors and economists by keeping its main lending rate unchanged in July after its first rate hike in three years in May.

Its next rate announcement is scheduled for September 23.

Govt rejects US visa restrictions, while domestic actors are emboldened

The South African government has rejected unilateral visa restrictions imposed by the US, framing its domestic legislation as a constitutional imperative to heal past racial injustices rather than target minority groups.

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola hit back at US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's announcement, stating that South Africa retains a sovereign right to enact laws aimed at improving the plight of historically excluded citizens.

The US restrictions target individuals deemed responsible for, or complicit in, policies enabling land expropriation without compensation, race-based discrimination, and the incitement of imminent violence against minority ethnic or racial groups.

The policy directly penalises those Washington holds accountable for land confiscation frameworks and the incitement of racial violence.

Lamola expressed deep concern over Washington's unilateral actions, arguing that the US visa restrictions align with a "mischaracterisation" of South African policies.

He said these measures appear to be driven by fringe groups who wrongly claim to represent Afrikaners and minorities as a whole.

Lamola defended South Africa's legal frameworks, specifically highlighting the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act 16 of 2023.

He emphasised that this legislation sets a stringent, binding framework to eradicate hate speech and prosecute hate crimes across both State and non-State actors.

"It is our sovereign right to put in place laws that address the nation's concern over centuries of racial injustice. We maintain that challenges in our bilateral relations with the USA can only be resolved by constructive engagement through State actors on both sides of the diplomatic channel, not unilateral acts," Lamola explained.

The Minister further asserted that the South African government remains "actively seized" with combating crime, emphasising that security challenges affect all citizens universally and do not target anyone based on race, colour, or social origin.

ECONOMIC FALLOUT

In contrast to government's stance, the Solidarity Movement has urged Pretoria to drop its "political pride" and "engage honestly" with upcoming proposals to defuse the row.

Solidarity Movement chairperson Flip Buys said the diplomatic friction is not new, but rather a continuation of a long-running dispute tracing back to 2010 when South Africa joined the BRICS bloc.

Buys warned that further escalation would directly hit ordinary workers, farmers, and businesses, rather than the politicians he says are responsible for the impasse.

The Solidarity Movement believes South Africa's current domestic policies run counter to various international conventions.

Buys said alienating the US poses severe risks to the local economy.

The movement maintained that "practical, achievable solutions exist" that would not require South Africa to surrender its independence.

"We are not taking sides between Pretoria and Washington; we are taking South Africa's side," averred Buys, adding that the Solidarity Movement will release a comprehensive set of proposals within the coming week aimed at ending the protracted dispute.

Joining the critique, AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel confirmed that the organisation is actively fighting the new Expropriation Act in the Western Cape High Court, arguing that it "dangerously" enables expropriation without compensation.

AfriForum has tied the US diplomatic dispute directly to local controversies, including rural farm safety and political rhetoric.

Kriel welcomed the US punitive measures against figures who incite ethnic violence, taking aim at EFF leader Julius Malema.

Kriel urged government to seriously evaluate the combined proposals of AfriForum and Solidarity.

"It is in the interest of everyone in the country to help prevent South Africa from being punished due to the reckless policies and actions of a...

ANC loses case against IEC, calls for 'calm, discipline' from members

The Electoral Court has delivered a blow to the ANC ahead of the November 4 local government elections, after it dismissed the party's appeal against the Independent Electoral Commission's (IEC's) rejection of 181 of the ANC's candidate nominations, across six municipalities.

The ANC argued that it had met the August 28 deadline to submit these and all its other candidates on the IEC's Online Candidate Nomination System but cited "technical failures" that had allegedly blocked final confirmation of the 181 nominations in question.

The party has stated that it did not ask the Commission to condone late nominations, but only sought the inclusion of names that were already on the system by the 17:00 deadline, with no amendments or reordering of any lists.

However, the Electoral Court ruled against the ANC's argument on Wednesday, which the party says it will appeal.

Following the ruling, ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the party's legal team will engage the court on questions from the judgment.

She further stressed that the party respected the court and the judicial process and urged ANC members to "remain calm and disciplined" and not issue public statements as the legal process is ongoing.

"We have consistently maintained that this matter is not about seeking preferential treatment for the ANC, nor about asking the Electoral Commission to change the rules for the benefit of our organisation. It concerns the legal status of candidate information that the ANC maintains was captured into the IEC's electronic system before the prescribed deadline," she reiterated.

Meanwhile, ANC Government of National Unity partner the DA welcomed the court ruling, adding that "deadlines are deadlines".

The DA said the ruling was good for the fairness of elections and political party equality.

"The ANC is facing mounting internal and external pressure about this major operational failure, and the court case it brought lacked merit and substance, and appears to be more of a PR exercise than a legal one. The candidate submission process is now complete. All parties' candidates are final and will be published by the IEC later today," it said.

Majodina apologises over heated confrontation with E Cape resident

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has issued a formal apology to the residents of Kouga, and the broader South African public, following a highly contentious confrontation with a local resident in the Eastern Cape.

The incident, which has sparked widespread public outcry, has already resulted in official ethics complaints from opposition parties and intensified political tension ahead of the upcoming local government elections scheduled for November 4.

The confrontation took place last week during Majodina's visit to the Kouga local municipality for the launch of the upgraded Loerie sewer pump station.

According to the Minister, the community engagement session was convened to promote accountability and provide feedback following the completion of the government project. However, the interaction quickly deteriorated.

"In the heat of the moment, I reacted after being subjected to profane language," Majodina explained on Tuesday.

"I take full responsibility for my conduct and deeply regret responding by using the same words directed at me."

The Minister's conduct immediately drew criticism from opposition parties. Both the DA and ActionSA have laid official ethics complaints against Majodina.

With the municipal elections less than two months away, opposition parties are leveraging the incident to question the governing party's leadership style and accountability.

While acknowledging her lapse in composure, Majodina emphasised that public representatives must be held to high standards, even under provocation.

"While public representatives are human and can, like anyone else, experience moments of frustration, this does not diminish the responsibility we carry to remain composed. I accept that responsibility and will continue to learn from this experience," Majodina stated.

She appealed to the public to maintain "reciprocal respect" during difficult or emotionally charged engagements to ensure interactions remain constructive.

Majodina reaffirmed her commitment to her portfolio, stating she remains dedicated to listening to community concerns and serving South Africans with "humility, accountability, and dedication".

Complete overhaul of appointment process essential to save Joburg, warns CDE

The Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) has issued an urgent directive to political parties ahead of the upcoming November local government election, warning that Johannesburg's compounding infrastructure and management crisis will never be resolved without a complete overhaul of how municipal leaders and boards are appointed.

In its newly released third Johannesburg Matters series report, the think tank urged all contesting political parties to publicly commit to transparent, competitive and merit-based appointments.

Furthermore, the CDE demands that political office-bearers be kept out of procurement, appointments and daily operational decisions.

"If there is a coalition, this commitment must be a non-negotiable component of the coalition agreement. No turnaround strategy will succeed if the institutions responsible for implementing it remain weak, politicised, and poorly led," said CDE executive director Ann Bernstein.

Since 2016, the City of Johannesburg has cycled through nine mayors and eight coalition administrations.

According to the CDE, this constant shifting has transformed crucial city entities into political "fiefdoms" controlled by competing factions.

In these environments, cadre deployment and political allegiance routinely override professional skills and experience.

The consequences of this patronage system are laid bare in the city's profound leadership gaps, with the CDE noting that zero professionally qualified engineers currently sit on the board of Johannesburg Water.

Bernstein said at least seven of the city's 24 most senior management positions are filled by temporary, acting appointees and added that persistent vacancies continue to plague critical operational fields, including engineering, finance, ICT, project management and supply-chain oversight.

"Senior appointments and board positions cannot continue to be treated as political bargaining chips," Bernstein urged, stressing that the city must decisively sever the link between shifting political coalitions and administrative hiring.

To reverse the decay, the CDE argues that Johannesburg requires a highly capable city manager selected through a rigorous, transparent and competitive process built to match the enormity of the turnaround challenge.

Bernstein urged the municipality to start immediately with Johannesburg Water, City Power, and Pikitup.

She explained that these newly structured boards – built around an experienced, appropriate chairperson – must secure highly capable CEOs and must rigorously hold management teams accountable for measurable operational results.

Additionally, the CDE advises that the incoming provisional government identify the city's mission-critical positions and conduct an immediate audit of the personnel occupying them, ideally before officially taking office.

Recognising that permanent, high-quality recruitment takes time, Bernstein noted that some interventions cannot wait while infrastructure faces imminent collapse.

To prevent further deterioration, the CDE advocates for innovative and speedy interim measures.

A new administration may need to inject independent technical and professional expertise into specific, time-limited assignments while permanent leadership is being finalised.

However, Bernstein emphasised that these emergency arrangements must remain subject to strict agreed targets, full transparency and clear accountability.

"Appointing capable people will not repair a water pipe or solve the City's financial problems overnight," Bernstein said.

"But none of the wider reforms required to turn Johannesburg around will succeed if the institutions responsible for implementing them remain weak, politicised, plagued with corruption and poorly led. People trump policy."

Full report attached.

East Rand killings: Ramaphosa promises 'no stone left unturned' as ANCWL calls for debate on death penalty, castration

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday issued assurances to the public that the recent spate of murders of women in the East Rand area, in Gauteng, will be prioritised as a seventh body was revealed by police, this time in Clayville, a few hours after the discovery of a sixth body in Springs.

On Monday, the South African Police Service (SAPS) issued an urgent safety warning to women in and around Kempton Park, following the discovery of five women's bodies over a period of about two months.

Preliminary evidence gathered by the SAPS revealed "deeply concerning similarities" across all five crime scenes, with the bodies of the women discovered half-naked with visible bruising, and dumped within the same immediate vicinity.

While SAPS has stopped short of officially declaring the presence of a serial killer, authorities admit the striking similarities are sufficiently alarming to warrant immediate public mobilisation and an intensified criminal investigation.

The body of Elizabeth Tsontso Moselakgomo was identified by her family on Monday, after she went missing last week while on a run near her home in Rhodesfield.

In a statement, Ramaphosa said government shared the heightened concerns of South Africans following the spate of murders.

"I speak for all of us as I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Elizabeth Tsontso Moselakgomo and to all families and communities affected by the killing of women recently found in and around Kempton Park. These incidents are causing fear and uncertainty in our communities, and especially among women. Our law enforcement agencies are working urgently to establish the facts, keep communities safe and bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice," the President assured.

He was briefed on the investigation by the Police Minister and the acting National Police Commissioner, and said he had asked that these cases be prioritised.

"…and that no stone be left unturned in bringing those responsible to justice. Our law enforcement agencies are undertaking this work in partnership with citizens, on whom we depend for any information that may help end these attacks on women," Ramaphosa stated.

DEATH PENALTY AND CASTRATION

As he called on South Africans to respect the rights of women and girls and ensure their safety, the ANC's Women's League (ANCWL) said it was "dismayed" by the continued violence against women.

It called for national budget funding in addressing gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and further suggested that police stations be repurposed to prioritise GBVF cases.

Another demand includes a debate on the reintroduction of the death penalty and castration to deter certain crimes.

"These measures must be publicly ventilated and critically examined as part of a comprehensive strategy to combat and prevent GBVF. It is imperative that we pursue a decisive firm stance against those who believe they can commit these heinous acts with impunity. The safety and dignity of all citizens must be prioritised through action, accountability, and decisive policy implementation," the ANCWL stated.

ELECTIONS AND ACTION PLAN

DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis used news of the killings to point out the "failures" of the SAPS, under an ANC government, to protect citizens.

"We see the human cost of that failure in Ekurhuleni. The discovery of the bodies of six women since July is horrifying. My thoughts are with every family waiting for answers and justice. Women should not have to live in fear of going for a run, walking home or simply moving through their own communities," Hill-Lewis said.

In electioneering mode, he promised that DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane will act to improve the metro police service, visible policing, lighting and surveillance and improve relationships with SAPS and communities.

He said the November elections will present Ekurhuleni w...

SAPS deploys task team as political outrage mounts over murder of 5 women

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has issued an urgent safety warning to women in and around Kempton Park, specifically in the Rhodesfield area, following the discovery of five women's bodies over a period of about two months.

Preliminary evidence gathered by the SAPS has revealed "deeply concerning similarities" across all five crime scenes.

The bodies of the women were discovered half-naked with visible bruising, and all were dumped within the same immediate vicinity.

While SAPS has stopped short of officially declaring the presence of a serial killer, authorities admit the striking similarities are sufficiently alarming to warrant immediate public mobilisation and an intensified criminal investigation.

In response, acting National Commissioner of the SAPS Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, has ordered the immediate establishment of a dedicated multidisciplinary task team.

The specialised unit will be led by Gauteng Deputy Provincial Commissioner Major-General Mbuso Khumalo, who has been ordered to ensure that "no stone is left unturned".

The task team will pull resources from elite divisions, including the murder and robbery unit, the investigative psychology unit (SAPS serial killer experts) and localised intelligence and forensic disciplines.

"The safety of women remains a priority for SAPS, and the police will not wait for further incidents before taking decisive action," the police statement read, assuring the community that maximum resources are being deployed to bring those responsible to justice.

The SAPS has strongly urged women in Kempton Park, Rhodesfield, and surrounding suburbs to alter their daily routines to mitigate risks.

The police are making an urgent appeal to residents, motorists, security personnel, and commuters who frequent the Rhodesfield area. Anyone who may have noticed suspicious vehicles, individuals, or unusual activity over the past two months is urged to come forward.

DEMAND OF ACCOUNTABILITY

The gruesome crime scenes have sparked widespread political outrage and renewed calls for government accountability regarding South Africa's rampant gender-based violence crisis.

DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane announced that her party will pressure the City of Ekurhuleni to conduct immediate safety risk assessments in the affected zones.

"We cannot allow fear to become part of everyday life for women in Ekurhuleni. Every woman deserves to return home safely to her family," Rasilingwane said.

RISE Mzansi National Assembly Whip Makashule Gana expressed "profound shock" at the killings, urging SAPS and government stakeholders to maintain total transparency with the public as the investigation unfolds.

Gana underscored the systemic nature of the violence, noting that South Africa's femicide rate is roughly five to six times higher than the global average, claiming the lives of approximately 4 000 women every year.

"All hands-on deck, not just policing, are required to end gender-based violence and femicide," Gana stated.