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AfriForum probes legality of Nersa settlement with Eskom

Lobby group AfriForum said on Friday that it will consult with its legal team about the constitutionality of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa's (Nersa's) behind-closed-doors settlement with State-owned entity Eskom.

The settlement agreement relates to errors made by the regulator in its sixth multiyear price determination (MYPD6) revenue decision, which was revealed by online publication Moneyweb.

Eskom legally challenged the MYPD6 decision in July, arguing that the erroneous way in which Nersa calculated the regulatory asset base value for the generation business, and which affected the depreciation amount approved, had left it with a revenue shortfall of R107-billion.

In a statement, Nersa said that its own review of the decision identified errors that resulted in an underestimation in certain components of Eskom's application - specifically an error on the depreciation amount captured - that had resulted in a shortfall of R14.5-billion.

As a result of the settlement, Eskom's electricity tariffs are poised to rise by 8.76% on April 1 next year instead of the 5.36% approved previously, and by 8.83% instead of 6.19% in 2027/28.

AfriForum is arguing that the secret settlement may undermine transparency, accountability and consumer protection.

AfriForum manager of local government affairs Morné Mostert accused Nersa of "gross negligence" by withholding information relating to the settlement.

"Nersa itself admits to the billions of rand worth of errors in its revenue calculations. By concluding a secret settlement with Eskom instead of subjecting the matter to full transparency and public participation, Nersa has acted in a way that may be unconstitutional and unlawful. Consumers should not carry the burden of the regulator's mistakes," said Mostert.

DA gets biggest quarterly donation; only ANC, ActionSA also breach declaration threshold

Ahead of the 2026/27 local government elections (LGE), the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa has recorded an upward trend in political funding, amounting to more than R40-million, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) emerging as the largest beneficiary of political donations.

ActionSA, the African National Congress (ANC), and the DA managed to attract a mixed donor support, amounting to R40 410 474.29, this quarter, which the IEC said was more than double what was reported in the last two quarters of the previous financial year.

The total amounts disclosed in those two quarters were R14 186 594.00 and R18 364 505.19, respectively.

The DA, ANC and ActionSA were the only parties that declared funding this quarter.

"It is significant that these three parties almost always make declarations since the commencement of the disclosure requirement for political donations. These three political parties have remained consistent in disclosing donations, save for ActionSA, which did not make any declaration in the third quarter of the previous financial year," the IEC said.

In this quarter, the DA received over R32.2-million from 13 different institutional, international, and individual donors.

In June, the party received a substantial donation of R15-million from Fynbos Kapitaal, a company linked to Capitec founder Michiel le Roux. Also during the same month, a donation of R10-million was received from Fynbos Ekwiteit.

"While both entities appear to share the same ownership, they are distinct juristic persons and each, therefore, has its own applicable donation threshold," explained the IEC.

A further R2-million came from Jufrapi Investments, an entity owned by Petrus Johannes Mouton, who holds directorships at Capitec, CURRO Holdings, PSG Financial Services, and PSG Group.

In total, the DA received R32 229 474.29 worth of donations.

The ANC received R7.6-million in donations, from its regular donor Chancellor House, while ActionSA declared R520 000 from party leader and businessman Herman Mashaba.

The IEC pointed out that during the reporting quarter, the Multi-Party Democracy Fund received a contribution of R250 000 from Discovery Central Services, which also donated the same amount to the DA.

"Following recent public engagement efforts, including a symposium in June 2025 and campaigns in early 2025. It is hoped that the fund will attract further contributions in the lead-up to the LGE2026/27," the IEC said.

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa gazetted the revised political funding limits effective August 18, with the minimum threshold for disclosure having been raised from R100 000 to R200 000.

The maximum yearly allowable donation by a single donor has increased from R15-million to R30-million.

ActionSA deputy president touts '15-year plan to take over SA', as party celebrates 5 years

Launched during the challenging Covid-19 lockdown, ActionSA today celebrates five years in South Africa's political arena with plans to increase its representation in Parliament and build municipal branches, as the country gears up for the 2026 municipal elections.

Speaking exclusively to Polity on the party's anniversary, ActionSA deputy president Dr Mbahare Kekana acknowledged that it was not easy for political parties to achieve representation in Parliament.

Currently ActionSA has only six representatives in Parliament: Alan Beesley, Dereleen James, Lerato Ngobeni, Patricia Kobe, Solomon Letlape, and Athol Trollip.

Kekana said ActionSA wanted to be an accumulative party.

"We have six members of Parliament. And our target is to increase them, come next elections, maybe to 22 or 32, then next elections, increase them again. We want our success to be accumulative in terms of, what is that we want to achieve. Because eventually, we understand that we are now moving towards coalition government, but we want to be a party in five years' time, where no form of government will move without us," he stated.

He said ActionSA wanted to be at the centre of forming a government and to ensure that there were no groupings or political parties forming a government without ActionSA.

"…whether it is the ANC and DA ,whether EFF and MKP, both these groupings or any form of government must not proceed without ActionSA," he said.

Kekana said this was because ActionSA wanted to be able to push a policy shift, where the party was able to ensure service delivery.

Kekana revealed that ActionSA's long-term goal was to replace the Government of National Unity (GNU), explaining that the party was not pushing for a one-State party.

"…but we want to see ActionSA be a leader in government. We do not rush ourselves. We have a 15-year plan to take over this country, we not saying we want to lead now, but we have a 15-year plan to totally be a leader of government," he explained.

BRANCHES

ActionSA is looking to expand its branches so it is rooted in various municipalities.

Kekana described branches as the heartbeat of a party, as they shaped the future of a political party.

ActionSA hopes to build that on the ground sp South Africans can participate.

"…they can be able to make decisions in their own branches, they can also help the party in terms of making decisions. We want to make sure that we are rooted at every voting station, every ward and every municipality," Kekana said.

He said this would bring stability to the party.

Despite its low numbers in Parliament, Kekana said its representation in the National Assembly and in various legislatures and three key municipalities, was a significant achievement.

The party continues with its Green Umbrella movement, which aims to garner collaboration with smaller opposition parties "to build a viable alternative focused on fixing communities".

AfriForum opposes MKP Bill to put all land under State control

Lobby group AfriForum is opposing uMkhonto weSizwe Party's (MKP's) proposed private member's Bill, which seeks to rewrite Section 25 of the Constitution, to abolish private land ownership.

Earlier this month MKP MP Mzwanele Manyi tabled a private member's Bill which seeks to rewrite the Constitution to redefine how land and natural resources are owned and governed.

The draft Constitution Twenty-Second Amendment Bill seeks to amend the Constitution to place all land in State custodianship.

AfriForum argued that Section 25 of the Constitution must remain unchanged or it will result in the scrapping of a basic human right currently guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

AfriForum submitted its written representation against MKP's Amendment Bill, calling it an attack on private land ownership and all cultural and other communities that are "working towards self-sufficiency, cultural autonomy and internal self-determination in accordance with international law".

The organisation claimed that the draft Bill specifically targets Afrikaners and ignores South Africa's diverse cultures and complex history.

AfriForum head of Intercultural Relations and Cooperation Barend Uys claimed that the Bill would result in Afrikaners and other minority cultural communities being "second-class citizens".

He explained that it would also make customary cultural communities and royal leaders permanent tenants on their own land and prevent them from legally owning their land and exercising full, unhindered control of it.

"It will prevent the full restoration of the dignity, healthy cultural self-image and self-esteem of cultural communities and their royal leaders, as they will be permanently defined as people who are considered 'unfit' to own and fully control their land," Uys added.

He added that the Bill would further weaken the authority and influence of royal leaders, customary leadership structures and other community-based institutions, while diminishing cultural autonomy and cultural rights.

"…this change will enable continued and increasing dominance by government officials over the development, management and governance of land and property of cultural communities and the areas where they reside," he said.

He sees the Bill as causing an economic catastrophe, warning of a significant drop in investor confidence.

He claimed that the proposed amendments would be in contravention of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as of Articles 3, 14, 19, 20, 21 and 28 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

AfriForum called on all cultural communities and their leaders to urgently make use of Section 20 of the Upgrading of Land Tenure Rights Act 112 of 1991 to secure title deeds of the land they control.

PSA wants Godongwana to fast-track GPAA forensic investigation

The Public Servants Association (PSA) on Thursday urged Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to fast-track the forensic investigation into the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) to restore stability and confidence.

Last week, Godongwana placed GPAA CEO Kedibone Madiehe on precautionary suspension with full pay, effective immediately, following allegations of serious misconduct concerning high-value procurement transactions.

He appointed National Treasury deputy director-general for corporate services Job Stadi Mngomezulu as acting CEO, effective from Monday, for operation continuity.

The PSA said that while it respected process and the presumption of innocence, the investigation must be prompt and thorough, with actions of accountability for guilty parties.

The PSA, which represents the majority of employees at the GPAA, also pointed out that several GPAA executives and senior managers, including officials in critical roles such as the Chief Financial Officer and Director of Security and Facilities, were directly involved in the gross irregularities that led to the CEO's suspension.

The organisation highlights that transparency throughout this process is vital to rebuild trust in the GPAA and to protect the interests of public servants and pensioners who depend on the GPAA's integrity.

Earlier this week, Godongwana assured that there would be minimal disruption to GPAA's critical operations and that the highest standards of governance would be maintained.

He said to achieve this, National Treasury, through the Office of the Accountant General (OAG) unit, has commenced a detailed forensic investigation into all allegations against implicated individuals, as well as contracts that have been awarded.

He explained that the preliminary focus of the investigation would focus on the GPAA head office lease; African mobility bus lease; Jicho consulting contracts, as well as the LCS biometric system lease.

Godongwana expressed confidence that the investigation and related disciplinary measures could be completed within 60 days.

The PSA urged Mngomezulu to act decisively against all implicated executives and senior managers, and also called for a review of cases of employees who were unfairly suspended or victimised for raising legitimate concerns regarding these transactions.

Anti-corruption council submits report to Ramaphosa, Cabinet

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday received the close-out report from the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council (NACAC), the findings of which will soon be released publicly, said the Presidency.

Ramaphosa chaired the meeting of the NACAC, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where he said the observations and recommendations would be a priority for the national executive and the relevant institutions.

The Council was appointed by Ramaphosa in 2022 to guide the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and, among other things, to advise on strengthening the State's anti-corruption architecture.

The council's membership consists of senior representatives from various sectors, including government, civil society, business, labour and academia.

The NACAC report consists of a set of recommendations which includes the establishment of a permanent, independent, overarching anti-corruption body; the strengthening and coordination of law enforcement agencies; the use of artificial intelligence to prevent corruption; and the establishment of an anti-corruption data sharing framework.

Addressing the NACAC, Ramaphosa said government needed to build transparent, accountable and ethical public and private institutions that were free of corruption.

He noted that while attention was given to efforts that detect and act against corruption, government preventing corruption would be real success.

Reflecting on the end of the three-year term of the NACAC, Ramaphosa said government needed to build a society characterised by responsibility and integrity.

The report would be thoroughly reviewed and, where possible, swiftly acted on, he assured.

"The report, observations and recommendations clearly demonstrate the extensive work and significant thought that NACAC has applied to these challenges. NACAC has given full effect to its mandate and has provided a firm, evidence-based foundation to take forward a comprehensive response to corruption," Ramaphosa said.

Once the national executive processes the NACAC recommendations and tables and deliberates on these in Cabinet, the final set of recommendations adopted will be implemented in accordance with the relevant and established statutory provisions and processes.

DA says Nasiphi Moya will repay City of Tshwane, while ActionSA accuses party of insecurity

The Democratic Alliance (DA) stated on Wednesday that City of Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya has confirmed to the party that she will make arrangements to repay about R270 000 back to the municipality, money that she was apparently overpaid during her tenure as an official of the City of Tshwane.

The party said it received confirmation from Moya, following a statement it released on Tuesday.

"Yesterday, the DA issued a press statement on the matter, and today we received a letter from Mayor Moya confirming that she is one of the officials who haven't yet paid back undue salary payments from the City," said DA Tshwane Spokesperson for Finance Jacqui Uys.

She pointed out that most of the officials who had received these payments have already paid back the money, or made payment arrangements with the City.

"It is unfortunate that Mayor Moya had to be prompted publicly to do what is right, instead of setting an example at her own accord," Uys said.

In its statement on Tuesday, the DA said it is unclear how the overpayment came about, suggesting an error, or payment irregularities that led to disciplinary action against senior officials during this period.

At the time the overpayments happened, Moya served first as head of the chief whip's office and later as chief of staff to Mayor Stevens Mokgalapa.

Uys noted that this will be the second repayment that Moya has had to make to the City of Tshwane, the first being an amount of R10 000 received for an international trip which Moya did not undertake.

Meanwhile, ActionSA has accused the DA of demonstrating its "insecurity", saying the party wants to discredit Moya.

ActionSA National Chairperson Michael Beaumont noted that in 2021 former DA Mayor Randall Williams issued a directive that determined that increases could not be recovered from senior managers who had left the employ of the City, such as Moya, but rather from those that implemented the pay increases.

"Despite this, and despite knowing of this matter for 6 years now, the desperate DA has sought now to make this matter an issue in order to try and discredit Dr Moya's progress in turning around the considerable backlogs that were inherited after 8 years of DA misgovernance of the City of Tshwane," said Beaumont.

He accused the DA of projecting "unsubstantiated allegations" of financial impropriety against ActionSA leaders such as Herman Mashaba and Moya as part of "insidious" attempts to undermine the credibility of black leadership.

"…this is done with no appreciation for the irony of the countless serious allegations against former DA Mayors who have been implicated in Glad Afrika, questionable hijackings, Kratos unsolicited bids and sex scandals in our capital city," he said.

Gwarube announces Education Council to strengthen policy

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announced the appointment of new members of the National Education and Training Council (NETC), which will be led by Penelope Vinjevold, as the chairperson.

She said the Council, which begins its work on Wednesday, will serve as a key advisory body on school education policy matters.

The NETC is aimed at strengthening South Africa's education policy architecture and Gwarube said this aligned with the priorities of the 2025 State of the Nation Address, such as the school resourcing model, quality foundational learning, promotion and progression requirements, reducing the administrative burden on teachers, amongst others.

The NETC was established in 2009 under the National Education Policy Act.

The members include Khathutshelo Onica Dederen; Dr Xolani Khohliso; Zanele Mabaso; Madimetja Dina Mamashela; Professor Judith McKenzie; Professor Paulus Jacobus Mentz; Lebogang Stephen Montjane; Mmatsetsweu Ruby Motaung; Professor Nicolette Roberts; Maite Getrude Rammala; Marie-Louise Samuels; Dr Selvia Kista (Mona) Singh; Dr Glodean Qondile Tintswalo Thani and Dr Gabrielle Wills.

Gwarube said the new members of the Council reflected a "deliberate effort" to bring together a wide "spectrum of expertise" in education policy, curriculum development and delivery, pedagogy and education management and governance.

She pointed out that this Council had the capacity to ensure that every child had a genuine chance at success.

"It is important to emphasise that, in line with its founding regulations, the NETC is deliberately diverse but not constituency-based. Members contribute as individuals on the strength of their expertise and professional experience," she said.

Malema found guilty of hate speech, DA welcomes ruling

The Western Cape Equality Court has found Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema guilty of hate speech in a case stemming from comments made at an EFF rally in 2022.

The case was brought by the South African Human Rights Council and another and Malema was found to have had the intention to incite violence and promote hatred.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomed the ruling and commended the SAHRC for initiating the case.

It pointed to an alleged pattern of Malema inciting violence, noting, most recently, President Cyril Ramaphosa's visit to the White House, where he was shown clips of Malema during EFF rallies.

"This type of divisive language is not just damaging on a local level, it has international repercussions as well. South Africa's reputation on the global stage is at risk when such hatred is condoned or ignored," said DA leader John Steenhuisen, who was part of the South African delegation at the White House meeting.

He said the ruling showed that political leaders could be held to account by capable institutions and added that the DA would look at taking further action against Malema.

"A political leader who incites mass murder, is not normal, nor permissible. The DA has fought against this for years. Part of the reason we joined the Government of National Unity was to keep destructive and hateful political parties like the EFF out of our nation's government. This judgment serves as further vindication of our long-standing position that the EFF will unleash a wave of hatred and race-based violence if it is allowed to access power," Steenhuisen said.

ANC rejects 'manipulative opinion polls', says its a stabilising force in GNU

The African National Congress (ANC) on Tuesday rejected what it termed "manipulative opinion polls", which it said are designed to sow doubt about the movement's strength and relevance.

ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula was addressing the media, where he said the ANC remains the central and stabilising force in the Government of National Unity (GNU).

A recent Democratic Alliance (DA) poll said the ANC's electoral support has fallen below 30% ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

Mbalula dismissed the poll, claiming that many are funded by neo-liberal think tanks and Democratic Alliance-aligned interests to project a manufactured narrative of ANC decline.

He noted recent by-election victories, which he said strengthened branch activism and renewed grassroot confidence and affirmed that the ANC remains the "most trusted and relevant political organisation" in the country.

He acknowledged that the biggest challenges faced by the ANC in terms of the country's citizenry is the decline of participation in the democratic processes.

"We will continue to review structural arrangements to ensure stability and sharpen the focus on service delivery. The ANC is not a spectator, it leads. We respect the will of the people and the GNU is one such defining tactical intervention that reflects the outcome of the elections in 2024," he said.

NATIONAL DIALOGUE

Meanwhile, the ANC has called on all South Africans, particularly workers, the unemployed, women, youth, and the "economically excluded", to actively participate in the National Dialogue.

Earlier this month, seven legacy foundations withdrew from the National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team, calling for a postponement of the National Dialogue to allow for adequate preparation, coherence and participatory integrity, citing violations of the Dialogue's core principles.

The Solidarity Movement and its affiliates also announced their withdrawal, attributing the decision to its belief that the National Dialogue had been "hijacked" by the African National Congress. Some opposition parties also opted not to participate.

Mbalula affirmed the ANC's support of the National Dialogue, and asserted that is a people-driven initiative.

"The National Dialogue is not a once-off event nor an ANC-driven programme. It is a citizen-led process designed to build a new social compact in line with the aspirations of the people and rooted firmly in the ideals of the Freedom Charter," he said.