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Committee hears SANDF 'severely underfunded' to effectively monitor borders

The Joint Standing Committee on Defence (JSCD) and the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (PCDMV) revealed on Thursday that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is severely underfunded, lacking the manpower to properly monitor the borders shared with Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique.

The committees expressed concern that South Africa's borders are "effectively open" and that government departments and entities responsible for border management are not collaborating on the issue.

The two committees, currently conducting an oversight visit to the SANDF in Limpopo, visited border areas near Musina to assess the situation.

JSCD co-chairperson Dr Malusi Gigaba said the visit was a fact-finding mission to understand the challenges facing the SANDF and communities affected by the movement of people from neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe.

"We should have 22 military companies patrolling our borders, but currently there are only 15. Even these are struggling due to shortages of personnel, vehicles and modern technology, such as drones," he explained.

Gigaba said soldiers were required to cover hundreds of kilometres, often with limited resources.

The SANDF also noted that informal settlements near the Limpopo river make border control even more difficult, as some residents are supposedly involved in aiding illegal crossings.

"If we are being honest, we don't have functioning borders, and this puts the safety of our country at risk," said PCDMV chairperson Dakota Legoete.

JSCD co-chairperson Phiroane Phala highlighted that while it is important to maintain good relations with neighbouring countries, South Africa must also protect its territorial integrity.

"We cannot allow people to enter and leave the country without control," he said.

During their inspection along the Limpopo river, the committees observed damaged fencing and areas where illegal crossings regularly occur.

Soldiers stationed there said they were too few to effectively monitor and respond to the constant flow of border jumpers, the committee heard.

The joint committees are expected to meet with the Border Management Authority, SANDF, the South African Police Services and the South African Revenue Service on interdepartmental cooperation at Beitbridge border post on Thursday.

Ramaphosa suspends Inspector-General of Intelligence

President Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended Inspector-General of Intelligence Imtiaz Fazel, with immediate effect, pending a decision in the investigation by Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI) into the Inspector-General's conduct.

The JSCI informed Ramaphosa of a complaint it received on Fazel's conduct, which it is investigating according to the Intelligence Services Act.

"Section 7(5) of the Act provides that 'if the Inspector-General is the subject of an investigation by the (JSCI) in terms of subsection (4), he or she may be suspended by the President pending a decision in such investigation'," said Ramaphosa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.

Fazel was appointed as the Inspector-General of Intelligence on November 1, 2022.

He is a former chief operating officer - at the level of deputy director-general - in the Office of the Inspector General of Intelligence and a former deputy director-general in the Office of the Director-General of the State Security Agency.

Ramaphosa calls for implementation of Public Protector remedial actions

President Cyril Ramaphosa wants all State entities and public officials to support the Office of the Public Protector, as he urges the enforcement of the Public Protector's remedial actions.

Ramaphosa was speaking during the Public Protector SA thirtieth anniversary international conference, where he noted the role of the Public Protector's office in holding the powerful to account.

He described the Office of the Public Protector as the pride of the country's constitutional order over the last 30 years.

However, he noted that budgets mattered revealing that government had been able to direct additional funds to the baseline of the budget of the Public Protector and use funds from the Criminal Asset Recovery Account.

He acknowledged that the Office of the Public Protector, like most public bodies, faced challenges of capacity and resources.

He said the Public Protector gave a voice to the voiceless, noting that the Office had played a vital role in changing the relationship between citizens and the State.

"As a country, we aspire to be a society where government and national institutions treat citizens justly and with compassion, always and in all their affairs. Over 30 years, the Office of the Public Protector has forged a bond with the citizens of this country.

"At the same time, it has forged relationships with institutions across the arms of State and throughout society," he noted.

Ramaphosa said the Office of the Public Protector had sought to promote cooperation and collaboration, understanding that an efficient, effective and ethical State was an aspiration to all.

"It is essential for all organs of State to see the Public Protector as a partner in serving the people of this country," he said.

Ramaphosa remembers Kenya's Raila Odinga

President Cyril Ramaphosa has described former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga as a leader who placed the interests of his country and continent first.

This comes after news of Odinga's passing, at the age of 80, in India, where he was receiving medical treatment.

Ramaphosa said Odinga remained "unwaveringly true" to his principles and vision in the face of deep personal sacrifice and obstacles.

He led Kenya between 2008 and 2013.

"The nation of Kenya and our continent have lost a patriotic and selfless leader whom I knew and worked with as a friend and brother," said Ramaphosa.

Spokesperson to Ramaphosa Vincent Magwenya said the President's thoughts and prayers were with the Odinga family and friends and associates of the late former Prime Minister, including the Orange Democratic Movement.

Ramaphosa said Odinga was committed to the development of his own nation as well prosperity and the silencing of the guns on the continent, as evidenced by his appointment by the African Union to advance peace in Côte d'Ivoire in 2010.

The Economic Freedom Fighters also extended its condolences to the people of Kenya.

DA says SA-made tech in Russian drones an international law violation

The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Wednesday submitted urgent written questions to Minister in the Presidency and the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) chairperson to obtain the full findings of the NCACC/ Directorate: Conventional Arms Control (DCAC) investigation into the alleged use of South African technology in Russian drones.

The party noted a recent media report that said laser range-finding equipment manufactured by South African firm LightWare Optoelectronics had been recovered from Russian suicide drones used in the war against Ukraine.

DA spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans Chris Hattingh said the use of South African-made tech in Russian war drones was alarming and threatened South Africa's "already fragile" international standing, risked complicity in violations of international law, and shredded the country's claimed neutrality.

"It also raises hard questions about the integrity of our national arms-control regime, notably the performance of the Directorate: Conventional Arms Control and the National Conventional Arms Control Committee, and whether South African technology is being diverted into weapons systems that may be used to commit war crimes," he said.

Hattingh pointed out that LightWare had stated its product was civilian and that any military use would be an illicit diversion.

"…that assertion, even if accepted, does not absolve government. As a Wassenaar Arrangement participant, South Africa is also obliged to control dual-use goods, including optics and sensors, and prevent diversion through grey routes," he said.

The DA wants to know whether the entity involved was authorised to export dual-use goods, and if not, what penalties will be pursued under the NCACC Act, which allows authorities to enforce end-user controls, post-shipment verification, and, where necessary, refusals, suspensions, or cancellations.

The DA also wants to know what remedial controls will be implemented to prevent recurrence, including broker controls, resale restrictions, and routine post-delivery verification.

Hattingh said the appearance of South African-made components in a Russian attack drone was not just embarrassing, but a national security and diplomatic failure.

"The DA will not allow this matter to vanish behind the veil of secrecy that too often hangs over the DCAC and NCACC. South Africans, and our international partners, deserve transparency and accountability," he stated.

The DA said it would continue to apply maximum pressure to ensure South Africa wais not complicit, directly or indirectly, in the conflict in Ukraine.

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Groups blast lack of progress on debt issues during South Africa's G20 presidency

A total of 165 organisations on Monday criticised South Africa for failing to make progress on debt sustainability issues during its presidency of the G20 major economies and urged it to push for reforms before it hands over to the US on December 1.

In a letter to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa released on the first day of the annual International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank meetings in Washington, the groups called for "the cancellation of all unsustainable and illegitimate debts, from all creditors" to protect funds needed for education, health, gender equality and climate resilience.

They also urged the G20 to push for "radical reforms" of debt restructuring processes, back creation of both an African Credit Rating Agency and a "Borrowers Club" to facilitate cooperation among debtor countries, and to push for an agreement to sell IMF gold reserves to set up a debt relief fund.

Developing countries, already saddled with high debt levels, have faced additional burdens given US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs. The World Bank in April said half of some 150 developing countries are either unable to make debt service payments or at risk of getting there.

Total debt in emerging markets rose by $3.4-trillion in the second quarter to a record of more than $109-trillion, according to recent data from the Institute of International Finance.

"Despite some progress under the G20's Common Framework, current debt arrangements remain inadequate," the groups wrote in the letter. "Restructuring processes are too slow, debt reductions too shallow, and the sharing of responsibility between public and private creditors deeply unequal."

Signed by the European Network on Debt and Development (Eurodad), Amnesty International, the Malala Fund and ActionAid International, among others, the letter lauded Ramaphosa's decision to make debt sustainability one of four priorities for South Africa's presidency, but said "so far nothing tangible let alone ambitious has been achieved."

"While this year's G20 has been put forward as an 'African G20', there is no evidence that any progress has been made on the debt crisis facing Africa and many other countries worldwide during the South African presidency," the groups said, adding that it was not too late for the country to leave its mark.

The United States is due to assume the G20 presidency on December 1, shortly after a leaders summit to be attended by US Vice President JD Vance instead of Trump.

"Developing economies are currently experiencing the highest borrowing costs in nearly two decades while debt payments are crowding out vital domestic resources and diverting them away from development," the groups said.

They noted that African countries are charged much higher interest rates than countries in other regions with comparable credit ratings and macroeconomic indicators, costing them some $74.5-billion per year in excess interest payments, according to data compiled by the United Nations Development Program.

Failure to address the debt challenges and offer low-income countries decisive debt reductions meant action to address climate change would remain "out of reach" for most countries.

South African business confidence edges up in September

South Africa's business confidence improved in September, driven by robust tourism, higher precious metal prices and increased exports, data showed on Tuesday.

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (Sacci's) Business Confidence Index rose to 121.1 in September, up from 120.0 in August.

The business chamber releases the index every two months. August's business confidence level was also higher than a reading of 116.7 in July.

Economic activity and the financial environment showed more positive trends year-on-year, while month-on-month activity remained stable with some negative aspects, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The chamber added that uncertainty was weighing on economic activity as South Africa tries to persuade President Donald Trump's administration to lower the 30% tariff imposed in August on its exports to the US.

"The trade tariff regime and the imposition of reciprocal tariffs have not yet entirely found their way into recent economic data," Sacci said in a statement.

Panyaza suspends Head of Gauteng Health, DA demands axing

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has suspended head of the Gauteng Department of Health and Wellness Lesiba Arnold Malotana, with immediate effect, and the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is calling for his axing.

Malotana's name has being linked to numerous scandals and a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigation into allegations that he received a multimillion-rand bribe to approve a contract, along with other officials in the department.

Lesufi has appointed Dr Darion Barclay to act in the position.

Barclay leads the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and Lesufi is confident that he will ensure stability and continuity in the department.

"…his appointment highlights the importance of prioritising seamless service delivery," Lesufi said.

On Thursday, the Premier's Office will also make the signed performance agreements of all Members of the Executive Council available to the public.

Meanwhile, DA Gauteng sSpokesperson for Health Madeleine Hicklin accused Lesufi of providing Malotana with "high-level protection" despite being implicated in the numerous scandals and SIU investigation.

She noted that in August, Lesufi offered a terse reply to DA Shadow Health MEC Dr Jack Bloom when he questioned whether Malotana had failed his lifestyle audit.

"Lesufi responded that he was 'awaiting the finalisation of the audit' and stated that 'he was not accountable to the DA, he was accountable to the African National Congress'.

"But the Premier is wrong: he is answerable to the citizens of Gauteng, not to internal factions of the ANC," Hicklin said.

The DA promised to push for the firing of non-performing HODs, such as Malotana, who Hicklin said had headed a department synonymous with various scandals such as the assassination of whistleblower Babita Deokoran who uncovered the R2-billion scandal at Tembisa Hospital; the underspending of R725-million in the last financial year; and R250-million meant to provide treatment to cancer patients across the province that was returned to National Treasury.

"A DA-led Gauteng provincial government will continue to provide ethical leadership to all its citizens, an accountable government, and deliver professional services in the best interests of its citizens, not for the benefit of a political party. This will be done through firing corrupt officials and hiring competent ones who can deliver services. We will not protect corrupt officials at the expense of service delivery," stated Hicklin.

MVC gives Ramaphosa deadline to give reasons for increased political donation disclosure threshold limits

Civil society organisation My Vote Counts (MVC) has given President Cyril Ramaphosa until October 20, to provide his reasoning for the determination of the new thresholds in the Political Funding Act (PFA).

MVC also made a formal Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) request for the information.

In August, the organisation wrote to Ramaphosa requesting that he explain why he chose to sign the proclamation to double the disclosure threshold and annual donation limit in the PFA.

The new annual donation limit will be R30-million, up from R15-million, and the new disclosure threshold will be R200 000, up from R100 000.

MVC argued that the immediate impact of a higher disclosure threshold and donation limit is more secrecy in political funding.

MVC Project Lead on Money in Politics Joel Bregman explained that the PAIA request calls for all documents that informed Ramaphosa's Proclamation, including briefing notes, memoranda, analyses or impact assessments, correspondence or consultations with the Independent Electoral Commission or other State bodies, public or stakeholder submissions, draft versions of Ramaphosa's Proclamation, and any legal opinions or approvals relied upon.

MVC approached the court to have parts of the Party Funding Act declared unconstitutional, specifically the provisions that impose a R100 000 threshold for the disclosure of donations and the R15-million annual limit.

Their arguments sought to reduce the annual limit from a single donor and to require that every donation be disclosed, irrespective of its size.

In 2023, MVC launched legal proceedings to challenge the constitutionality of the PFA.

The case was heard by a full bench of the Western Cape High Court in February and judgment was delivered in August.

MVC's application was dismissed in its entirety.

In September, MVC launched an application to the Constitutional Court for direct leave to appeal against the High Court's order and an application to the High Court for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal.

BLSA welcomes Eskom's return to profitability, but notes persisting challenges

State-owned Eskom's return to profitability for the first time in eight years, with a profit before tax of R23.9-billion for the 2025 financial year, offers some welcome positive news for the power utility and the broader economy, business organisation Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) CEO Busi Mavuso highlights in her latest weekly newsletter.

The significant reduction in loadshedding this year has improved electricity supply reliability and boosted Eskom's revenue owing to lower spending on diesel-based open-cycle gas turbines, she points out, adding that the utility's turnaround was supported by over 350 private-sector experts mobilised by the National Electricity Crisis Committee.

"I was impressed that this was achieved not just from higher tariffs, but from a fundamental and significant improvement in the operations of the State-owned entity," Mavuso posits.

She adds that profits were assisted by a favourable settlement with the South African Revenue Services over fuel levy rebates, which accounted for half the total.

Overall, Eskom managed to grow its revenue by 15%, while reducing the cost of primary energy by 14%, Mavuso states.

However, despite these gains, challenges remain, including a municipal debt increase of 27% to R94.6-billion, delayed clean audit opinions owing to compliance issues and targets for the energy availability factor (EAF) yet to be met, Mavuso cautions.

Eskom's EAF, which improved from 54.6% in 2024 to 60.6%, was still behind the target of 65% for the year, she explains.

"Next year, the target is 70%; so much more effort is going to be required."

Mavuso calls for systemic change to turn around the utility's performance, encouraging a direct intervention in how municipalities manage their finances to enforce payment to Eskom, before revenues collected from electricity distribution are used for anything else.

She also advocates for improvements in collections at municipal level, which would require technical support.

"The other negative in the financial results is that Eskom's auditors again had a qualified audit opinion on the financial statements. This is despite Eskom having set up an audit recovery programme after the 2024 audit resulted in a qualification. Clean audits are the minimum expectation that the public should have for the performance of State institutions," Mavuso emphasises.

She calls for Eskom to continue to improve record keeping.

Mavuso also mentions that Eskom is aware that the double-digit tariff increases it has experienced over the last several years are unsustainable.

"It is taken as a given that it will see single-digit increases in future and must manage its costs accordingly. Its financials show that the amount it earns per kilowatt-hour is now more than double what it was six years ago.

"That cannot happen again. Indeed, a competitive market of the future must aim to push prices for consumers down," she avers.