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Ramaphosa points to Northern Cape becoming a new powerhouse for the SA economy

In engagements between the National Executive and the Provincial Executive of the Northern Cape, on Friday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said besides the strides being made in the energy sector, the Northern Cape is working to become an industrial hub.

"This is supported by traditional industries like mining, but is being expanded through special economic zone development, industrial park development and major infrastructure developments, notably in port and rail," he said.

In his sixth engagement between the National Executive and provinces, Ramaphosa highlighted that the Northern Cape was at the forefront of the country's clean energy revolution and was experiencing a significant surge in power projects such as solar and green hydrogen.

He noted a 2024 Pulitzer Centre article that characterised the province as South Africa's emerging powerhouse.

Ramaphosa stated that the province's Green Hydrogen Masterplan was ambitious in scope and potential benefits - "not just for the Northern Cape but for the national economy, for the Southern African Development Community region, for the continent and globally".

In recent months Ramaphosa, and several members of the National Executive, had participated in multilateral discussions and business forums, articulating the vision of South Africa being a leader in the renewable-energy revolution.

He acknowledged that while the Northern Cape's economy had been growing and creating jobs, with important progress in areas such as education, public infrastructure and basic services, persistent challenges remained.

He noted the National Treasury's 2024 provincial socio-economic review, which pointed to an increase in the percentage of people living in poverty and a drop in the number of households with access to basic services such as water.

"Unemployment, especially youth unemployment, remains high. Fiscal constraints are holding back several projects particularly at a municipal level, including for disaster response, asbestos eradication, land restitution, rural electrification and public housing," he acknowledged.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Ramaphosa pointed out that the province would need to find ways to support high-impact projects such as the Northern Cape Industrial Corridor, the R1-billion housing programme and the Kimberley Big Hole precinct to improve infrastructure development.

"We will also need to find creative funding mechanisms for projects like the Boegoebaai harbour. We need an urgent relook at the current delivery model to enable regulatory approval and investment activation," he said.

He highlighted that integrated planning between national, provincial and local government must involve State-owned enterprises as important stakeholders with significant capabilities.

Ramaphosa stated that the integration of provincial planning into national priority planning must be prioritised through government's District Development Model and aligned with the Medium-Term Development Plan.

He also noted increased municipal debt and the issue of climate change during his address.

MKP wants secret ballot in no confidence motion against Ramaphosa

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has requested that voting in its Motion of No Confidence brought against President Cyril Ramaphosa should be through secret ballot, citing integrity of the voting process.

On Tuesday, the party wrote to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to consider its intentions to table a motion in Parliament.

This after the party said Ramaphosa failed to meet the Tuesday deadline set by the Chief Justice to file opposing papers in the Constitutional Court.

MKP president Jacob Zuma and the party challenged Ramaphosa's decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on a leave of absence, and said Firoz Cachalia's subsequent appointment as Acting Minister was illegal.

The party has been vocal in calling on Ramaphosa to withdraw his announcement of Mchunu's leave and Cachalia's appointment, threatening legal action, should he fail.

Chief Justice Mandisa Maya has since requested that Zuma and his party file their heads of argument by July 27, and the respondents were given until July 28 to do the same.

The matter is set down for hearing on July 30.

The MKP stated that Ramaphosa's actions on Mchunu's leave and Cachalia's appointment raised significant constitutional questions and concerns about transparency, accountability and his overall leadership, and the party further claimed that South Africa had lost confidence in Ramaphosa's leadership.

In a letter addressed to Didiza, MKP deputy president and Parliamentary leader John Hlophe said a secret ballot for the No Confidence Motion would safeguard the integrity of the voting process and ensure that the outcome reflected the true will of the Members of Parliament.

He explained that it would ensure that Members of Parliament were able to exercise their constitutional duty "freely and without fear of intimidation or reprisal".

"…this is particularly important given the sensitive nature of the motion and the potential political consequences for individual members," he said.

Brazil to join South Africa's Gaza genocide case against Israel at ICJ

Brazil is finalising its submission to join South Africa's genocide case against Israel's actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

South Africa filed a case in 2023 asking the ICJ to declare that Israel was in breach of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention. The case argues that in its war against Hamas militants, Israel's military actions go beyond targeting Hamas alone by attacking civilians, with strikes on schools, hospitals, camps and shelters.

Other countries - including Spain, Turkey and Colombia - have also sought to join the case against Israel.

In its statement, the Brazilian government accused Israel of violations of international law "such as the annexation of territories by force," and it expressed "deep indignation" at violence suffered by the civilian population.

Israel denies deliberately targeting Palestinian civilians, saying its sole interest is to annihilate Hamas. Lawyers for Israel have dismissed South Africa's case as an abuse of the genocide convention.

The Israeli embassy in Brasilia said the Brazilian statement used "harsh words that do not fully portray the reality of what is currently happening in Gaza," while Brazil also "completely ignored" the role of Hamas within Gaza's reality.

Brazil's National Israeli association CONIB said in a statement in response to Wednesday's decision: "The breaking of Brazil's long-standing friendship and partnership with Israel is a misguided move that proves the extremism of our foreign policy."

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has long been an outspoken critic of Israel's actions in Gaza, but Wednesday's decision carries added significance amid heightened tensions between Brazil and Israel ally the United States. The Trump administration announced 50% tariffs on all Brazilian goods this month.

A diplomat familiar with the thinking of the Lula administration told Reuters that Brazil does not believe its decision to join South Africa's case will impact its relationship with Washington.

The United States has opposed South Africa's genocide case under both Democratic former President Joe Biden and Trump, a Republican. In February, Trump signed an executive order to cut US financial assistance to South Africa, citing in part its ICJ case.

'SA cannot afford to lose Mkhwanazi' - EFF

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema said on Thursday that KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi need to be retained to his position when his contract ends.

Mkhwanazi is scheduled to leave office in December.

"We are at a point where we cannot afford to lose Mkhwanazi. Somehow, he needs to be retained into the force and somehow, he needs to be elevated to a national responsibility. KwaZulu-Natal has become too small for him. Western Cape needs Mkhwanazi to come and deal with these crimes that are supported by DA [Democratic Alliance], funded DA, by money of drugs and gangsterism," he stated.

Mkhwanazi has made headlines following his allegations of corruption, political interference, and malfeasance, specifically accusing Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of unilaterally disbanding the Political Killings Task Team and redirecting 121 active investigation dockets to the office of National Deputy Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, where they have allegedly been neutralised.

Both Mchunu and Sibiya have since been placed on leave of absence by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

An inquiry has been established to investigate the allegations.

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has also assigned the portfolio committees on Police, Justice and Constitutional Development; and the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence to urgently consider the explosive allegations made by Mkhwanazi.

On Tuesday, a joint meeting between the Portfolio Committee on Police and the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development recommended that the National Assembly establish an Ad Hoc Committee to consider Mkhwanazi's allegations.

Speaking during a media briefing, Malema said Mkhwanazi's revelations should have shown the Government of National Unity (GNU) that cutting funding to law enforcement capacity is disastrous.

"It is for this reason that the EFF proposed the establishment of an ad hoc committee to investigate the allegations made by General Mkhwanazi and we welcome that this progressive step has been adopted by the National Assembly," Malema said.

When asked whether the 90-day period for the committee to complete its work is viable, Malema said it is not enough.

"…and when it becomes practically impossible, we will have to go and ask for an extension in the [National] Assembly, we have done that before. But let's get the work started, that is what is important and not complaining about whether the time is short. Once the amount of work is presented before us, we will then work on that. It is going to be a full-time job… and the parties that are sending people there, for a change, we must be prepared to work even on weekends. We have an emergency to deal with, we cannot prolong this issue of police anymore, we want it resolved, and it must be resolved now, he said.

Malema said he hoped to be elected Chairperson of the ad hoc committee so that he would be able to "sort out this issue."

He described Mkwanazi as a hero, who went outside of established protocols to make his revelations.

"Whether you agree with him or not, it does not matter, but he played a very important role in exposing the rot, and it is our turn now, as a country, and not as politicians, to deal with this matter," Malema stated.

He urged South Africans to pay close attention to Mkwanazi so that is he isn't victimised

Malema also said Mkwanazi should reapply for his apposition once his contract is up to keep the matter alive.

"We plead and we are making a call that Mkwanazi must be retained in the force, and we fully support him. Where a criminal shoots at a police officer, the police must drop those criminals, must not play with them. This thing of Cachalia, he does not know what we are dealing with here on the ground," Malema stated.

He claimed that the Commissions of Inquiry are used by politicians to delay matters that can immediately be resolved.

"They use Commiss...

Ramaphosa: We're engaging with the US, but also exploring other export markets

With the threat of 30% tariffs on South African exports to the US looming from August 1, President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured that discussions with the US are ongoing and expressed optimism about the outcome of these engagements.

Speaking on the sidelines of his visit to BMW Group South Africa in Tshwane, Ramaphosa also acknowledged the Bill recently approved by the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee that seeks a full review of the bilateral relationship between the US and South Africa and also seeks to identify South African government officials and African National Congress leaders that are "eligible for the imposition of sanctions".

Ramaphosa said discussions between both countries will continue as the Bill process unfolds in the US, adding that he was unsure as to the reason for the Bill.

"Our bilateral dealings and engagements with the United States will continue and we will talk about all manner of things, including precisely this issue and many others. We've got good diplomatic relations with the United States and we want to enrich them and make them better. We are very positive that the outcomes of our engagement with the United States will be comprehensive and all-encompassing so that we can return to good dealings with the United States," said Ramaphosa.

He said the global tariffs threatened by US President Donald Trump have "turned the world upside down", and he acknowledged the specific threat to South Africa, as a major exporter to the US in automotive, agricultural and minerals products.

He said local producers are already feeling the imminent pressure.

"We are engaging with the US, we are in discussions with them. My visit to the US was to open that door for engagement and that is precisely what are doing now. We are talking to them, they are talking to us and we are exchanging a whole lot of ideas and proposals and I am hoping those negotiations will bear fruit in the coming days. Time, obviously, is of the essence in so far as this is concerned," Ramaphosa said.

However, he added that South Africa should be looking at other markets, specifically referencing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), describing it as a "very progressive", "very positive tariff-free opportunity" with other African countries.

He said South Africa should be relying on the AfCFTA for exports but that it should also look at other markets outside of Africa.

"So as people see us moving from country to country, hopping on and off planes, we are searching and looking for markets for our products so that we can employ more people, we can grow our economy. And our economy is an economy that is also driven by exports. Of course the internal market is important to us. But the export market is where we bring in hard currency that enables us to be at the top of manufacturing and industrialisation. That's where we want to be," said Ramaphosa.

South Africa inflation hits four-month high before rate meeting

South African inflation quickened to a four-month high in June, complicating the central bank's task as it prepares to review interest rates.

Consumer prices rose 3% from a year earlier, compared with 2.8% in May, Pretoria-based Statistics South Africa said on Wednesday in a statement on its website. The median estimate of 12 economists in a Bloomberg survey was 3.1%.

While inflation has now been near the floor of the central bank's 3% to 6% target range for nine straight months, the outlook is uncertain. That's likely to prompt policymakers to proceed with caution after reducing interest rates by 25 basis points to 7.25% in May.

Chinese deflation, a weaker dollar and uncertainty about how nations will respond to US President Donald Trump's tariff onslaught are making forecasting a nightmare, South African central bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago said last week.

"There are things that we are not sure about. We do not know in which direction they would go."

The MPC will announce its decision on July 31.

AfriForum welcomes progress in passage of US Bill targeting ANC leaders

Lobby group AfriForum clarified on Wednesday that it has never advocated for sanctions that target South Africa as a whole, however it welcomed the introduction of targeted sanctions against South African politicians by the US.

On Tuesday, the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee approved a Bill by Texas Congressman Ronny Jackson on the relationship between the US and South Africa.

"To require a full review of the bilateral relationship between the United States and South Africa and identify South African government officials and ANC [African National Congress] leaders eligible for the imposition of sanctions, and for other purposes," the Bill reads.

The Bill will now go to the full House of Representatives for a vote before the Senate will consider it.

"The South African Government has a history of siding with malign actors, including Hamas, a United States designated Foreign Terrorist Organization and a proxy of the Iranian regime, and continues to pursue closer ties with the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Russian Federation," the Bill states.

On Tuesday, Jackson posted on social media that South Africa had "made its choice", arguing that it had "abandoned America" and its allies and "sided with communists and terrorists".

AfriForum head of public relations Ernst van Zyl said the Bill was a welcome development for South African interests.

"This development comes amid a deepening diplomatic crisis between the US and South African governments. Last week it was reported that the US government has denied Mcebisi Jonas, South Africa's special envoy to the US, a diplomatic visa and rejected his credentials," he said.

He claimed that years of "reckless and extremist" diplomatic actions and rhetoric by the ANC were "now bearing bitter fruit".

Meanwhile, Solidarity called on President Cyril Ramaphosa and other parties in the Government of National Unity to urgently reaffirm the country's non-aligned status and commit South Africa to a strong relationship with the US, based on mutual respect and cooperation.

"…however, it is necessary for the South African government to go beyond just a recommitment to non-alignment and for the country to specifically agree to cooperation with the US in certain areas. This includes cooperation in the fight against terrorism in Africa, military and intelligence cooperation and cooperation on the ground," said Solidarity head of public relations Jaco Kleynhans.

He said it was necessary for Ramaphosa to urgently appoint a new ambassador to Washington.

"It is our belief that it is impossible to resolve the current political crisis between the two countries without a strong South African ambassador to the US. Jackson's Bill calls for a comprehensive process whereby the relationship between our two countries must be reviewed. Without an ambassador, such a process will lead to disastrous consequences for South Africa," Kleynhans stated.

Solidarity also called on Ramaphosa to take a stronger stance on property rights and minority rights in South Africa.

"The new expropriation law and the provision for expropriation with zero compensation, as well as South Africa's increasing number of racial laws and the extent of violent crime on farms, are unacceptable to President Donald Trump and many members of his senior team and members of Congress," he said.

He suggested declaring farm attacks a priority crime, guarantees that agricultural land would not be expropriated for zero compensation, and a commitment by the government to phase out racial laws.

Solidarity said it was planning to visit the US again to meet with Jackson and other members of Congress in the run-up to the final vote in Congress on the Bill.

Solidarity is also currently in discussions with the US Department of State and the White House about the "crisis" in the relationship between South Africa and the US.

South Africa to amend Budget process after political wrangling

South Africa's National Treasury plans to revamp its 2026 budget-preparation process after political wrangling saw this year's proposal altered twice.

"South Africa's current budget process has not kept pace with the country's evolving fiscal, institutional, and political realities," the Treasury said in a statement on Wednesday.

"A comprehensive budget reform will be implemented for the 2026 budget that aims to clarify trade-offs, reduce waste, and prioritise high-impact programmes."

Its recent review of the budget process revealed "fragmented decision-making, poor policy-budget alignment, and weak consensus on trade-offs in a context of competing priorities and limited fiscal space," the Treasury said.

Proposals to raise taxes saw this year's budget revised twice after members of a 10-party ruling coalition, formed when the African National Congress lost a parliamentary majority in elections last year, opposed it.

The Democratic Alliance, the second-largest member in the grouping, called on Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to rather look at ways to fire up the economy and review spending.

Lawmakers will today vote on the Appropriation Bill, a key piece of legislation required to advance the third version of the budget.

By law, the Treasury is authorised to prescribe the format for the annual budget. It will retain the fiscal objectives outlined in the 2025 plan, including stabilising debt, achieving a primary surplus, and increasing infrastructure investment into next year's one, it said.

Chauke suspension necessary step to restore public trust in NPA - CDE

Think tank, the Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's suspension of South Gauteng Public Prosecutions director Advocate Andrew Chauke, describing it as a necessary step to restore public trust and rebuild the prosecuting authority.

Ramaphosa suspended Chauke with immediate effect, following concerns that his continued tenure would negatively affect the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

This comes almost two years after NPA director Advocate Shamila Batohi wrote to Ramaphosa to request that he suspend Chauke amid withdrawals of State capture cases and low prosecutions.

"Nearly two years of inaction by the Presidency on a matter of such gravity has damaged public confidence in the President as well as the independence and integrity of the National Prosecuting Authority," said CDE executive director Ann Bernstein.

She said while the suspension was long overdue, she hoped there would be more executive support for the NPA and an end to the "political inaction and foot-dragging" that had hindered the NPA.

"A worrying example of this is that the NPA still does not have full, totally unfettered access to the archives of the Zondo Commission," she said.

Bernstein said Chauke's suspension was about strengthening the entire prosecuting system.

"…the Chauke case highlights the importance of ensuring people of excellence, integrity and experience serve in the leadership of the NPA throughout the country," she added.

Last month, CDE advised Ramaphosa to not extend the term of office of Batohi and recommended a new appointment model akin to the 2019 South African Revenue Service commissioner selection process.

The purpose of the inquiry would be to get to the bottom of the NPA's failure to successfully prosecute major corruption and State capture cases and to chart a credible course forward.

Batohi is required to vacate her office in January 2026, as she reaches the age of 65.

CDE has proposed that the new process for appointing Batohi's successor include public criteria for candidates, assessment by an independent selection panel that enjoys widespread national support, and transparency around the reasons for the final decision.

Bernstein said Ramaphosa had finally initiated some long called for action on fixing the NPA.

"He must now act speedily by building on the 2018 National Director of Public Prosecutions appointment process and taking it further. South Africa needs a new NDPP appointed before Advocate Batohi retires in January," she explained.

Parties welcome Nkabane's removal but question Manamela's appointment as Higher Education Minister

Political parties have welcomed the removal of Nobuhle Nkabane as Higher Education and Training Minister, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) saying this is the first step to restoring faith that the Government of National Unity (GNU) will not tolerate corruption.

On Monday President Cyril Ramaphosa removed Nkabane and replaced her with Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela.

Ramaphosa has also appointed Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube as the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training.

Earlier this month, the DA laid criminal charges against Nkabane, for allegedly lying to Parliament about ANC cadre appointments.

The party claimed that Nkabane lied when she stated that the panel tasked with appointing the sector education and training authorities (Seta) board chairpersons consisted of independent people, and subsequently informed Parliament that they were not independent at all.

Nkabane faces allegations of manufacturing a scheme that saw senior ANC personalities deployed to high-paying Seta board jobs, benefiting the family of Gwede Mantashe, the former ANC Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, former ANC MECs in KwaZulu-Natal, a former ANC Deputy Minister in national government, and the ANC's provincial coordinator in KwaZulu-Natal - until she was forced to overturn these deployments.

"Seeing one ANC Minister depart Cabinet under storming clouds of lies, deceit, cadre deployment corruption and a Hawks investigation is a first step to restoring our faith that the GNU will not tolerate corruption," said DA spokesperson Karabo Khakhau.

The DA had opposed the department's budget while it was led by Nkabane, who the party described as "dishonest and incompetent".

"Our demand to President Ramaphosa was for him to act against the seriously compromised, corrupt and nefarious in the ANC, and the firing of Nkabane is the first step for him. One Nkabane does not a renewed ANC make. There is still a very long list of ANC corruption to be eradicated," the party expressed.

ActionSA said Nkabane's tenure as the Higher Education Minister offered no meaningful reform, and that it showed blatant disregard for the realities students faced daily.

"She leaves behind a national student housing backlog of more than 500 000 beds, a dysfunctional National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) whose 2023/2024 report is nine months overdue, and a staggering R20-billion black hole at the Setas, which continue to fail in delivering skills development," ActionSA stated.

The party pointed out that Nkabane's attempt to bury parliamentary questions under 800 pages of "bureaucratic nonsense" concealed, among other things, a R11.2-million departmental travel spree.

MANAMELA APPOINTMENT

However, the party expressed concerns with Manamela's appointment as Nkabane's replacement, saying this was not a cause for celebration.

"Manamela has served as Deputy Minister since 2017 and has been seated at the centre of the department's decline. His promotion is not a clean-up but a missed opportunity to clean house entirely," it said.

ActionSA believes that the Basic and Higher Education departments should be merged.

The party has proposed expanding Nsfas to support the missing middle by raising the income threshold to R500 000 and introducing affordable, low-interest student loans repayable only after two years of employment, capped at 10% of income.

"We continue to advocate for the conversion of hijacked buildings in CBDs into safe and affordable student housing. Most importantly, we have called for the scrapping of the broken Setas and the redirection of their budgets into an innovative Opportunity Fund that delivers real skills and jobs," the party highlighted.

ActionSA said it rejected "cosmetic Cabinet reshuffles" that recycle the same failed officials while students continue to suffer.

CONFIDENCE IN NEW LEADERSHIP

Meanwhile, the ANC expressed confidence in Mana...