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Ramaphosa expecting run-up to National Dialogue to be used for political point-scoring

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday advised members of the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group not to be distracted by misinformation and misrepresentation, saying he expects the National Dialogue process to be contested and be used to score political points, or to advance interests.

Ramaphosa was speaking during a meeting with the Eminent Persons Group, which will guide and champion the National Dialogue.

He met with them at the Union Buildings, where he told them that they should not be surprised if there is "scepticism or disinterest" from some quarters.

Last month, Ramaphosa announced that a National Convention, which will set the agenda for the National Dialogue, will be held on August 15.

He explained that in the wake of government's engagements with various entities, there was broad agreement to convene a National Dialogue, given the challenges facing the country.

He appointed an Eminent Persons Group, comprising leading figures in society, who he says reflect the great diversity of the nation, with a proven commitment to the advancement of social cohesion and nation-building.

The members include former Independent Electoral Commission chairperson Dr Brigalia Bam; former Constitutional Court Judge Edwin Cameron; Banyana Banyana coach and football legend Dr Desiree Ellis; researcher and rural activist Professor Nomboniso Gasa; Springbok captain and world champion Siya Kolisi; leader of the Zion Christian Church Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane; Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba; chairperson of the National Planning Commission Professor Tinyiko Maluleke; student activist and former Member of Parliament Nompendulo Mkhatshwa and business leaders Dr Gloria Serobe and Bobby Godsell.

The Labour Party of South Africa has launched an urgent High Court application to interdict Ramaphosa's National Dialogue process, arguing that it is "unconstitutional, irrational, fiscally irresponsible", and excludes the working class.

ActionSA has called for the proposed National Dialogue to be halted, while Government of National Unity (GNU) member, the Democratic Alliance, has withdrawn from the Dialogue, a decision it made following Ramaphosa's removal of Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield from the GNU Cabinet.

Ramaphosa claimed there was already misinformation and misrepresentation on the cost of the National Dialogue and on who was leading it.

"But that should not distract us from the work we have to do to give a platform to the millions of voices in our country, so that they may be heard and so that they may be counted," he said.

Ramaphosa said the Eminent Persons Group should not fear criticism, but they should rather welcome it.

He said criticism was a signal that South Africans care about the country and were invested in its future.

"Most critics want a National Dialogue that is effective and inclusive," he added.

He noted that dissenting voices made the debate richer and should make the outcomes more robust and meaningful.

He pointed out that the convening of a National Dialogue was endorsed by the ten political parties that constitute the GNU in their Statement of Intent and is incorporated into government's Medium Term Development Plan.

ROLES AND TASKS

Ramaphosa pointed out that Friday's meeting marked the start of the work of the Eminent Persons Group, which he said promised to be "challenging and rewarding".

"As the Eminent Persons Group comes to understand its role and set out its tasks, we must recognise and appreciate the long road and the hard work that has brought us to this point," he said.

He stressed that the Eminent Persons Group were not being asked to represent any constituency or organisation.

"…rather, you are being called upon to use your experience, acumen and energy to give South Africans confidence that participation in the National Dialogue can help to advance their interests and secure their future.

"We are asking ...

Parly justice committee chair commends sentencing in apartheid era case

Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development chairperson Xola Nqola emphasised that his committee would like to see the finalisation of all apartheid crimes cases, commending Thursday's sentencing of an apartheid-era policeman.

He welcomed the 15-year prison sentence handed down to former apartheid police officer Johan Marais, in the Pretoria High Court, for the 1987 killing of student activist Caiphus Nyoka.

Marais is one of three people charged in connection with Nyoka's murder. Marais pleaded guilty, stating that he was ordered to assassinate Nyoka.

However, he declined to turn State Witness against three former colleagues who pleaded not guilty to participating in Nyoka's murder. Their trial is set down for later this year.

"This sentence is indeed welcome. A young man was robbed of his life, a bright future. The committee would like to see the finalisation of all apartheid crimes. This will bring some closure for the families and friends of our liberation struggle heroes, even if it does not bring back their loved ones," he said.

GOOD secretary-general Brett Herron said although the now 66-year-old Marais committed the crime 37 years ago, his conviction is important for asserting the principles of justice, impartial and apolitical prosecutions, and accountability.

"The conviction is also important to reasserting the integrity of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission process. The commission recommended hundreds of prosecutions in cases in which perpetrators did not apply, or did not qualify, for amnesty. The recommendations were largely ignored by the democratic State over the past 25 years," he said.

Herron noted pressure from victims' families wanting the State to account for the injustice, which led to President Cyril Ramaphosa establishing a judicial commission to establish the reasons for the subversion of justice, and whether there was political interference.

"In the meantime, many of the perpetrators have died without ever having to face justice," he said.

DA lays fraud charge against under fire Senzo Mchunu

The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Thursday laid a charge of fraud against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu at the Cape Town Central Police Station, vowing to submit a formal complaint to Parliament's Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests.

DA Deputy Chief Whip Baxolile Nodada said this was a criminal offence under both common law and parliamentary legislation.

He said his party was taking firm and urgent action to hold Mchunu accountable for allegedly lying to Parliament, by allegedly making contradictory statements about his relationship with businessman Brown Mogotsi - an individual reportedly linked to serious criminal syndicates and political interference in the police service.

"In March this year, while under oath before the Police Portfolio Committee, Minister Mchunu denied knowing Mogotsi. Yet, in a public statement on 9 July, the Minister admitted that he does in fact know Mogotsi, describing him as 'a comrade'," Nodada said.

Nodada said this reversal directly contradicted Mchunu's earlier denial and raised concerns about whether he deliberately misled Parliament - a criminal act in terms of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act.

"It is simply unacceptable for a sitting Minister to evade accountability while surrounded by allegations of corruption, links to criminal syndicates, and efforts to shield politically connected individuals from scrutiny," he stated.

The party contended that Mchunu committed fraud by knowingly making a false statement with the intent to mislead Parliament, and that he violated the Powers and Privileges Act, which criminalised any attempt to mislead or obstruct Parliament or its committees.

Nodada further indicated that Mchunu breached the Parliamentary Code of Conduct, which demanded "honesty, integrity, and transparency" from all Members of Parliament.

Meanwhile, Mchunu made headlines last week, when KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made allegations of corruption, political interference, and malfeasance, specifically accusing 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.

Nodada pointed out that six days after the explosive revelations by Mkhwanazi, President Cyril Ramaphosa has neither acted against Mchunu nor initiated any credible investigation.

"President Cyril Ramaphosa's silence in the face of this growing scandal is indefensible. Similarly, Ramaphosa remains silent on the growing ethical cloud over two other members of his Cabinet - Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, and Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane - both of whom have been implicated in serious allegations. This continued inaction raises alarming questions about the President's willingness to confront corruption and protect the credibility of his government," he said.

Following the explosive allegations, the DA and ActionSA wrote to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, calling for an urgent debate in Parliament on corruption within the Saps.

Didiza argued that holding a Parliamentary debate on the allegations made by Mkhwanazi would not be appropriate, as they remain unsubstantiated.

Instead, Didiza has assigned the portfolio committees on Police; and Justice and Constitutional Development; and the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence to urgently consider the explosive allegations made by Mkhwanazi, within the scope of their mandates.

Ramaphosa to address the nation on Mkhwanazi's allegations

President Cyril Ramaphosa has resolved to address South Africa on Sunday, on the recent allegations levelled against political and South African Police Service leadership by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

A statement from the Presidency assures that Ramaphosa will address the nation at 19:00, following outcry from various parties on the serious allegations made.

Mkhwanazi has made 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.

Ramaphosa was attending the BRICS Plus summit in Brazil when Mkhwanazi made his allegations public.

"The President undertook to attend to this development on his return from Brazil, in view of the implications for national security. President Ramaphosa has been seized with this matter in recent days and will, following various consultations, take the nation into his confidence at 19h00 on Sunday, 13 July 2025," the Presidency said.

South Africa's low growth leaves citizens poorer than global average, Investec says

South Africa's anaemic economic growth since 2010 has left its population significantly poorer than the global average, according to Investec Wealth & Investment International.

"You can see a decoupling of South Africa's gross domestic product per capita from the rest of the world in 2010," Osagyefo Mazwai, investment strategist at Investec Wealth & Investment International, which manages R530-billion in assets, said in an interview.

South Africa's GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power parity was $15 194 in 2023, compared with $22 850 globally.

Growth in Africa's largest economy has been hampered by sustained power outages, graft, crime, disintegrating infrastructure and foreign-policy missteps. Low growth has meant its economy is 37% smaller than it would have been had the country tracked its emerging-market peers, and it may have lost out on 5 trillion rand in taxes since 2010 that could have boosted its ability to fund services and lower its debt-to-GDP ratio, Investec said.

For South Africa to return to the global average within the next 10 years, GDP per capita would have to grow at around 8%, Mazwai said. That's above the middle-income average growth rate of 5.9% since 1991 and almost double the global average growth rate of 4.4%, Investec said.

"You need to be exceptional in your GDP growth outcomes, and even in that environment, you only get back to the global average," he said.

The International Monetary Fund expects the country's economy to grow 1% in 2025 - down from a previous forecast of 1.5% and Investec sees it expanding 0.9% before reaching 3% by 2030.

For South Africa to unlock faster growth it needs to speed up policy execution to boost business confidence.

"If you look throughout the entire period of the post democratic South Africa, periods of lower business confidence coincide with periods of lower economic growth" and gross fixed capital formation (GFCF), Mazwai said.

Business confidence has on average been below the 50-mark that separates growth from contraction since the financial crisis, Bureau for Economic Research data shows, and GFCF hasn't performed much better.

It was just 15% of GDP in 2024, compared with 40% for China, 30% for India, and 22% for Russia, World Bank data shows.

"If you look at India and you look at other markets like that, they're not happy at 6% growth," Investec Bank Chief Executive Officer Cumesh Moodliar said in the same interview. "Why should we be hovering at one odd percent growth? It's because GFCF is just not happening at the pace it should," he said. "We really need to bring that speed into it and create those efficiencies."

South Africa to tap private firms to revamp crumbling courts

South Africa's Department of Justice and Constitutional Development will heed advice from the finance minister and ask private companies to help revamp dilapidated court buildings due to budget limitations.

The National Treasury allocated R400-million to the department in the year ending March 2026, well below the R1.6-billion it estimates the upgrades require, Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said in an interview on SAfm radio Wednesday.

While budget talks between the her department and the Treasury continue, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has advised the ministry to improve project management and engage with the government unit that manages state assets as well as the private sector to revive court buildings, she said.

The proposal comes amid concerns that decaying infrastructure and court backlogs are hindering the delivery of justice.

The government of Africa's most industrialised economy has worked with private companies to improve power infrastructure and wants to extend partnerships to the water and logistics sectors after years of inadequate maintenance, limited investment and poor management.

The department also plans to upgrade security features at courts and has "resuscitated" a committee to help clear case backlogs, the minister said.

Parly committees told to probe Saps allegations, as DA prepares to charge Mchunu

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza on Wednesday argued that holding a Parliamentary debate on the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi would not be appropriate, as they remain unsubstantiated.

Instead, Didiza has assigned the portfolio committees on Police; and Justice and Constitutional Development; and the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence to urgently consider the explosive allegations made by Mkhwanazi, within the scope of their mandates.

Mkhwanazi over the weekend made allegation 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.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) is set to lay criminal charges against Mchunu on Thursday in light of the allegations made against him.

The DA and ActionSA on Monday wrote to Didiza, calling for an urgent debate in Parliament on corruption within the Saps.

The DA said violent crime could only be combatted with robust integrity management inside and out of the Saps.

ActionSA Member of Parliament Dereleen James said Parliament must intervene without delay, as responsibility could not rest solely with the Minister of Police or the President, who had presided over the escalation and deepening of this crisis.

Following Didiza's request to the three committees, ActionSA said it believed this approach was "disjointed" and risked diminishing the seriousness and urgency of the issue.

"The allegations are clearly interrelated and fragmenting them across multiple committees will fail to provide the cohesive oversight required.

"The allegations raised by Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi cannot be meaningfully addressed in isolation. Referring different aspects of the matter to various committees will not produce the coordinated and effective oversight needed to fully uncover the truth," stated ActionSA Parliamentary leader Athol Trollip.

He said his party was "troubled" by the decision to refer parts of the matter to the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, which he said would render a crucial component of the investigation secretive.

"…this is inappropriate for a matter that demands transparency and public confidence in Parliament's efforts to get to the bottom of serious allegations," Trollip added.

ActionSA has written to Didiza, requesting a reconsideration of her position and for the establishment of a Joint Committee comprising all three relevant committees to interrogate the matter.

Trollip noted that this would provide the only coordinated and effective mechanism through which the seriousness of these allegations could be properly ventilated.

Ramaphosa reflects on development financing conference and S Africa's G20 Presidency focus areas

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed South Africa's commitment to working with countries to confront the debt challenge in a manner that is "effective, sustainable and just".

Ramaphosa wrote in his weekly letter to the nation that countries face more daunting challenges than at any other time, from the growing devastation caused by climate change to persistent levels of poverty in many parts of the world.

He explained that to confront these challenges, countries need to mobilise funding to tackle climate change, reduce poverty and build infrastructure that enables sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

The world needs an estimated $4-trillion dollars a year to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, a gap, which he said can only be closed through more affordable, long-term sustainable financing.

He highlighted that a major contributor to this financing gap is the growing debt burden faced by many developing economies, particularly those in Africa.

"…around 3.4-billion people now live in countries that are spending more on interest payments to creditors than on health and education."

Ramaphosa pointed out that debt can be a tool for development, if it is affordable and spent efficiently on infrastructure and other investments that support growth.

"...however, a succession of external shocks - including the Covid-19 pandemic, the destabilising effect of various conflicts around the world and tightening financing conditions - has caused the cost of debt to rise rapidly for many developing economies," he added.

Last week, the world came together at the fourth Financing for Development Conference in Sevilla, in Spain, to agree on a set of actions to advance development over the next decade.

"At the inception of our G20 Presidency, we appointed an Africa Expert Panel led by Trevor Manuel, our former Minister of Finance, to develop recommendations that the G20 can take forward. We did so because we are convinced that Africa's development must remain front and centre this year and into the future," Ramaphosa said.

Government had since focused on practical solutions to achieve debt sustainability, he added. This includes improving the G20 Common Framework for debt treatments for timely and adequate debt restructuring.

"We are also working to expand the use of innovative mechanisms to alleviate the debt burden in times of crisis, such as climate resilient debt clauses, which automatically pause debt payments when a country faces a climate disaster," he said.

Going forward, a key priority will be to ensure that more support is available to countries facing financial liquidity challenges, with interventions taking place early enough and providing enough relief to avoid a crisis, Ramaphosa assured.

"We have shown that this is possible through previous efforts spearheaded by the G20, such as the Debt Service Suspension Initiative, which created fiscal space for low-income countries during the Covid-19 pandemic," he said.

He explained that countries need the political will to translate proposals into action and to do so at a scale that matches the size of the challenge.

"Countries committed in Sevilla to take concrete actions to enhance fiscal space, address debt challenges of developing countries and lower the cost of capital. This commitment was reinforced by the Rio de Janeiro Declaration adopted at the BRICS leaders' Summit in recent days, which recognised the need to address in an effective, comprehensive and systematic manner the debt vulnerabilities of both low- and middle-income countries," he said.

Fedusa, SACP want independent inquiry into Mkhwanazi's Saps allegations

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) have urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to appoint an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, while also expressing safety concerns for whistleblowers.

Fedusa said this inquiry must have a clearly defined mandate, timelines and the power to compel evidence, which it said was the only mechanism that could provide the public with clear answers and restore confidence in the leadership of the country's law enforcement agencies.

During a media briefing over the weekend, Mkhwanazi made 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 had allegedly been neutralised.

Fedusa said the allegations could be treated as ordinary administrative concerns.

"…they demand urgent, decisive action in the interest of public trust and institutional integrity," it said.

The federation called for immediate and parallel investigations by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, the Special Investigating Unit, and any other statutory body with jurisdiction.

It argued that a multifaceted approach would ensure that the matter was thoroughly and urgently handled.

The federation also called on Ramaphosa to provide strong and visible leadership.

Ramaphosa assured on Sunday that the matter was of grave national security concern and said it was receiving the highest priority attention.

"All parties to this matter are called upon to exercise discipline and restraint. The trading of accusations and counter-accusations threatens to undermine public confidence and sow confusion. Furthermore, these actions damage the unity and focus of the police," he said.

He is expected to soon outline actions on the matter.

Fedusa said the allegations made are far too serious to be ignored or buried under internal processes.

"They require a credible response that places the integrity of the State above individual or political interests," it added.

The federation expressed concerns about the safety and wellbeing of public servants who come forward to report wrongdoing.

"Whistleblowers are often the first and most critical line of defence against corruption and maladministration," it pointed out.

The federation wants whistleblowing officials to be protected.

The SACP also expressed concern about the allegations, calling for an extensive probe to investigate the capacity of the South African Police Service to execute its mandate to prevent, combat and investigate crime.

The SACP has taken note of Ramaphosa's commitment to address the matters brought to the fore by Mkhwanazi upon his return from his international travels.

"As the SACP, we firmly believe that any intervention by the executive branch, as suggested by the President, must extend beyond the surface issues that may be apparent to the untrained eye. It must endeavour to unravel the intricate web of a potential criminal network that has not only tainted the police service but has also essentially captured and undermined the entire State in a pervasive web of corruption and criminality," it said.

DA calls for review of Expropriation Act, BBBEE Act amid US tariffs

Following US President Donald Trump's announcement on the US tariffs, the Democratic Alliance (DA) called for amendments to the Expropriation Act that renew confidence in the protection of private property, with ActionSA accusing the Government of National Unity (GNU) of failing to defend the interests of the South African economy.

On Monday, Trump wrote letters to 14 countries, informing them of new tariff rates, announcing that countries including Japan, South Korea and South Africa will face tariffs of up to 30% as part of a fresh wave of levies to kick in on August 1.

DA leader John Steenhuisen explained that the announcement was deeply concerning and would have "wide-ranging and devastating" consequences for South Africa.

"Whilst not explicit, the announcement would signal the end of the African Growth and Opportunity Act which gives South Africa duty-free access to the US for more than 6 000 products, including goods in the automobiles, agriculture and textile industries," he said.

Steenhuisen also called for review of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Act, to ensure the focus was on poverty, not race.

He noted that the brief extension from July 9 to August 1 provided Ramaphosa with a small window of opportunity to make the necessary decisions to improve trade relations.

The party also called for a boost in private participation in freight rail, with appropriate infrastructure investment and improved security to safeguard vital infrastructure.

He noted the country's highest unemployment rates, saying the tariffs would impact thousands of farmers, manufacturers and workers' jobs.

"…billions of rands will be lost in export revenue, making this a crippling blow to the economy.

"Now, more than ever, the African National Congress needs to accept the fact that South Africa is in need of urgent reforms that will bring about increased economic growth and try to cushion some of the job losses which will no doubt follow yesterday's announcement by the US President," explained Steenhuisen.

The party also wants concessioning of ports, to improve efficiency and turnaround times in getting products in and out of the country, while calling for the removal of barriers that impede private sector participation in the production and transmission of electricity.

Steenhuisen said intervention in failing local governments was needed to improve service delivery and address corruption and financial mismanagement, urging Ramaphosa to deal decisively with issues of corruption, which he said were systemic throughout all spheres of government.

In his capacity as Agriculture Minister, Steenhuisen committed to strengthening trade relations with the country's existing international partners, while actively working to expand access to new markets for South African produce.

GOVERNMENT FAILURES

Meanwhile, ActionSA noted that the imposition of the tariffs, which it said would not only jeopardise South African businesses, workers, and households, underscored the government's "continued failure" to secure a viable trade solution after previously strained negotiations left the tariffs on hold since April.

"While President Trump's claim that the United States 'can no longer afford to run a trade deficit with South Africa' runs counter to basic economic principles and established trade norms, the imposition of these tariffs is about more than economics. Rather, it reflects a political response to South Africa's alignment with nations that the United States regards as pariah States or adversaries. That our government has chosen ideological loyalty over national interest has now come at an immense cost," explained ActionSA Member of Parliament Alan Beesley.

He said South Africa was one of 14 countries arbitrarily targeted under this policy, a reflection of Washington's "confused frustration", but warned that the global consequences of foreign policy missteps would no longer b...