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The death toll from floods in South Africa's Eastern Cape province has risen to 57, the head of the province said on Wednesday.

Parts of South Africa have been lashed by heavy rain and snow since the weekend, in a severe winter cold front that has disrupted transport and power networks.

"The status has escalated to 57 (deaths)," Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane told a press conference.

Earlier, a school bus was swept away by floods near Mthatha and a provincial safety official said eight bodies were recovered.

Mabuyane said the report he had received said six people on the bus had been discovered dead and four were still missing. The vehicle had been carrying 13 schoolchildren and two adults.

Flooding has become more common and severe in South Africa as the impacts of climate change are felt.

A storm on the East Coast in April 2022 killed about 400 people and left thousands homeless.

The Democratic Alliance on Thursday called for a comprehensive turnaround strategy to capacitate the Independent Police Investigative Directorate with permanent staff and modern investigative tools.

The party expressed concerns that currently 14 907 cases remain outstanding for investigation by the IPID across the country.

DA deputy spokesperson on Police Lisa Schickerling said in reply to a DA Parliamentary question, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu disclosed that KwaZulu-Natal had 4 135 outstanding investigation cases; Gauteng 3 492; Western Cape 2 505; Eastern Cape 2 167 and Mpumalanga had 1 151.

Schickerling noted that these cases included some of the most serious allegations ranging from deaths in police custody to rape, which she said had now been caught in a growing backlog that "threatens" both justice and accountability.

"This backlog not only undermines public confidence in law enforcement but also leaves victims and their families without justice - in some cases, for years on end.

"Equally troubling is the fact that IPID staff are working around the clock, often under immense pressure and without the support or resources they need to properly investigate serious complaints. This broken system is unsustainable and risks further erosion of oversight, justice, and institutional integrity," she explained.

She highlighted that while the DA noted IPID's attempt to address the backlog by enlisting the support of six retired detectives in high-volume provinces, she said this ad hoc intervention was simply not enough.

The party said it was deeply worrying that IPID remained "under resourced, understaffed and lacking" the investigative capacity to fulfil its constitutional mandate of holding the South African Police Service accountable.

"…equally concerning is the confirmation that Saps has not implemented any measures to assist with the backlog due to IPID's oversight role.

"This hands-off approach, while necessary for independence, must be matched by meaningful support from the Department of Police and Parliament to ensure IPID is adequately funded and capacitated," said Schickerling.

With this, the DA called for a quarterly parliamentary progress report on backlog reduction and a public release of backlog data, including the duration of unresolved cases, to ensure transparency and accountability.

Schickerling said South Africans deserved a police watchdog that worked, one that was "independent, well-resourced and capable" of acting swiftly and decisively against police abuse and corruption.

ActionSA on Wednesday accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of acting in desperation to destabilise the Tshwane government with its plan to bring a motion of no confidence against Tshwane Speaker of Council Mncedi Ndzwanana, during the June 26 Council Meeting.

DA Tshwane Caucus Chief Whip Ofentse Madzebatela argued that since 2023, Tshwane's Council Chamber had been "subjected to the tyranny of a Speaker of Council who runs it like a dictator, who views Councillors as his subjects."

He accused Ndzwanana of making his rulings based on emotion, and not on the rules of Council.

"Due to this attitude, Councillors cannot participate in meetings as equal peers. His discriminatory behaviour has reached a point where parties outside of the governing coalition do not have a fair say or hearing for that matter, in Council meetings. The speaker has developed a disposition to dismiss all propositions of the DA Caucus, as legally and rationally sound as they may be," Madzebatela stated.

ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont urged Tshwane residents and, more broadly, Gauteng to reject the motion, calling it an act of "insecurity by a party that has no answers to the service delivery needs of the residents" of Gauteng.

He said Tshwane had entered its first period of stability and progress in many years, which he believed was a direct threat to the DA, arguing that the DA had a poor track record of service delivery in the municipality.

"In submitting this motion of no confidence, the DA has chosen its narrow political self-interest over progress," Beaumont said.

ActionSA is confident that the DA's motion will not garner support.

Beaumont said in recent months, the City of Tshwane had tabled a fully funded budget, the first since 2022, had its credit rating outlook improved, decreased its debt, been identified as the city with the second lowest dissatisfaction levels in the country, and had been acknowledged as the safest metro in South Africa.

"Major projects like Hammanskraal Water are being delivered, investments in electricity and water infrastructure paint a future with fewer outages and stoppages, and cases of corruption and wrongdoing are being acted upon. All of this is clearly too much for the DA to tolerate," he said.

Beaumont highlighted that the Speaker of the City of Tshwane was elected when the DA's own councillors voted in breach of the coalition agreement previously in place and caused the election of this Speaker over the ActionSA candidate at the time.

He said the DA never corrected this, and former Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink governed with the current Speaker in place instead of working with their own coalition partner at the time to elect a Speaker from its ranks.

"…it is ironic that the DA has now decided to take issue with the Speaker, where no such issue existed previously. Earlier this year, ActionSA won a court case in the North Gauteng High Court that established an important precedent that motions of no confidence cannot be refused and may not be presided over by the Speaker. This followed previous motions disallowed by the Speaker in the City of Tshwane which, again ironically, the DA took no issue with at the time," he noted.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has revealed that a National Convention, which will set the agenda for the National Dialogue, will be held on August 15.

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

The National Convention would represent the diversity of the South African nation, Ramaphosa said.

"It will be a representative gathering, bringing together government, political parties, civil society, business, labour, traditional leaders, religious leaders, cultural workers, sports organisations, women, youth and community voices, among others.

"Through their various political, social and other formations, in their workplaces, in places of worship, communities, villages and sites of learning, South Africans will in the months following the National Convention be encouraged to be in dialogue to define our nation's path into the future," he stated.

The National Convention aims to finalise a compact that outlines the roles and responsibilities of South Africans. Ramaphosa said the views, concerns and proposals that emerge from the conversation will be brought to a second National Convention, planned to be held at the beginning of next year.

He explained that the idea of holding a dialogue is not a new concept in South Africa.

"In many ways having dialogues is part of our DNA as a nation. At every important moment in the history of our country, we have come together as a nation to confront our challenges and forge a path into the future in dialogue with one another. Through dialogue we were able to deal with the challenges that the apartheid system caused in our country and achieved peace and overcame violence," he said.

The dialogue will be a participatory process that unfolds in phases: local consultations, sectoral engagements, and provincial and national gatherings.

The process would be people-led, Ramaphosa said, a society-wide process to reflect on the state of the country for citizens to reimagine their future.

He explained that the National Dialogue was a chance for all South Africans to come together and help shape the next chapter of the country's democracy.

"Through the National Dialogue, we seek a shared vision of what it means to be a South African and develop a new national ethos and common value system. It is an opportunity to forge a new social compact for the development of our country, a compact that will unite all South Africans, with clear responsibilities for different stakeholders, government, business, labour, civil society, men and women, communities and citizens," he said.

The dialogue will also serve to drive progress towards Vision 2030 and lay the foundation for the next phase of South Africa's National Development Plan.

An Inter-Ministerial Committee has been established under the chairpersonship of Deputy President Paul Mashatile to coordinate government's contribution to the National Dialogue.

Ramaphosa will establish a Steering Committee, comprising representatives of various sectors of society, to set strategic priorities and coordinate implementation of the National Dialogue process.

The Secretariat, which is responsible for day-to-day management of National Dialogue activities, will be housed at the National Economic Development and Labour Council.

Ramaphosa has 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.

Amongst the members are former Independent Electoral Commission chairperson Dr Brigalia Bam; former Constitutional Court judge 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 His Grace Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane; Anglican Archb...

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday expressed sadness at the loss of lives in incidents in the Eastern Cape that have been linked to severe weather conditions, calling for caution, care and cooperation during severe winter conditions.

Six bodies were recovered near Mthatha and another near Tsolo in the Eastern Cape, in incidents arising from flooding.

Ramaphosa noted another incident, where three children were rescued while several of their fellow learners went missing after the vehicle in which they were travelling to school was swept away by floodwaters near Mthatha.

The President said these incidents and others that may unfold during winter highlighted the need for South Africans to display caution as the worst impacts of winter weather took effect across the country.

He offered his condolences to bereaved families, affected communities and Eastern Cape residents.

Ramaphosa assured that national, provincial and municipal authorities, including the National Disaster Management Centre, were giving the requisite attention to crises as they unfold.

"While government discharges its responsibilities and services to citizens, we welcome the support we see at times such as this from businesses, community- and faith-based organisations, charities and organisations such as the National Sea Rescue Institute," he said.

He urged citizens to work together to bring relief to affected families and communities.

"This is a time where we need to take care of ourselves in our homes and reach out to neighbours and friends who need help of any kind. We also need to exercise caution on our roads when travelling for work or leisure, or as we get out in nature where we may want to see such sights as snowfalls or flooded rivers," he said.

He urged citizens to observe by-laws and regulations that exist to protect them in these conditions.

"We must pull together where disaster strikes and while none of us should evade accountability, we must put problem-solving and collaboration ahead of blame and conflict. Our beautiful country is a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable place for all of us for most of the year, but we cannot escape winter's intensity and our own vulnerability," he said.

Ahead of his meeting with National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi, Cyril Ramaphosa said he does not believe there is State capture in the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

Speaking to media in Atteridgeville, in Pretoria West, on Tuesday, ahead of his engagement with beneficiaries of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, Ramaphosa expressed confidence in NPA prosecutors.

Last week, Batohi revealed that the NPA has been infiltrated by individuals who she said were not committed to upholding the rule of the law.

She further admitted that the NPA had failed to successfully prosecute any major State capture cases involving politicians, pointing to the hindering effects from that era, when State institutions were hollowed out.

Ramaphosa asserted that there are some "really good prosecutors" in the NPA and those "who are putting a lot of effort", while noting that a number of cases are being prosecuted, including those that came out of the Zondo Commission.

However, he acknowledged that Batohi is facing a number of challenges and said his meeting with her would allow her to "download and take out of her chest" some of the challenges she's facing.

"…but the NPA has really done considerable work to stabilise itself, as well as to go on with various prosecutions. Now, quite often we look at those where there is failure or where there are mistakes and we think that the whole system is not working. And she will be able to speak to that herself… when she talks to me," he said.

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

Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi on Tuesday assured that South Africa is actively monitoring the emergence of a new Covid-19 variant, known as Nimbus or NB.1.8.1, which has been linked to a resurgence of cases in parts of Asia.

Motsoaledi was delivering a keynote address during the opening of the fourth G20 Health Working Group meeting taking place in Johannesburg, where he pointed out that the World Health Organisation had designated Nimbus as a Variant Under Monitoring, owing to its growing presence.

The distinctive symptom is characterised by a sharp, stabbing pain when swallowing, often at the back of the throat.

Other symptoms linked to the strain include redness in the back of the mouth and swollen neck glands, as well as established common Covid symptoms such as fever, muscle aches and congestion.

"I wish to reassure this esteemed gathering that South Africa has robust surveillance systems in place. Our National Institute for Communicable Diseases manages a comprehensive Sentinel Surveillance programme that systematically tests for key respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and RSV [Respiratory Syncytial Virus]. Currently, our data shows very low SARS-CoV-2 activity," he said.

Health experts have reported that 13 cases have already been found in the UK, following a surge in cases in China, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Motsoaledi noted that while South Africa is observing a seasonal increase in influenza, it is well prepared to manage the new variant.

He pointed out that crucially, the new variant remains a descendant of the Omicron lineage noting that this means that current recommendations for updated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are still effective.

"Therefore, at this stage, no specific new public health actions are required from the public. We continue to advocate for maintaining good hygiene practices - such as handwashing, covering coughs, and staying home when unwell. These simple measures are effective in reducing the spread of all respiratory illnesses," he said.

He said the health department would continue to monitor the situation closely through its established networks and would report any significant changes.

COLLECTIVE COMMITMENT

Meanwhile, Motsoaledi called for the "elevated political will" of all G20 members and global partners to overcome what he calls "entrenched commercial interests and diplomatic hurdles", noting that finalising a robust and equitable Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) Annex is the ultimate litmus test of collective commitment.

He pointed to the adoption of the Pandemic Agreement, which he said was a landmark achievement for global health governance, noting that the stark lessons of the Covid-19 crisis fuelled the collective resolve to forge a more "robust and equitable" framework, one that ensured international cooperation and protected all nations from the impacts of future pandemics.

The Pandemic Agreement was adopted with the overwhelming support of 124 member States, which Motsoaledi said was a clear global consensus for a need for a new path forward.

"…this agreement is a crucial step towards rectifying the deep-seated imbalances in access to life-saving pandemic products that were so painfully exposed during the recent crisis," he said.

He noted that the finalisation of the PABS Annex was no longer just a technical negotiation, but a political test.

"…it is a test of our collective will to move beyond rhetoric and deliver tangible results. It is the essential next step to transform the Pandemic Agreement from a document of principles into a functional, life-saving tool for justice and our shared global health security," he explained.

He further noted that the PABS system would require pharmaceutical manufacturers to contribute 20% of their production during pandemic emergencies in return for access to pathogen data.

"It is the very heart of our commitment to ensuring that the benefits of scientific progress are shared by all of humanity," he said.

Motsoaledi hi...

Think tank, Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) executive director Ann Bernstein has advised President Cyril Ramaphosa to not extend the term of office of National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi and has recommended a new appointment model akin to the 2019 South African Revenue Service (Sars) commissioner selection process.

Bernstein explained that this would involve the President selecting one or more candidates who would then be interviewed by a high-level, independent and widely respected panel.

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

Bernstein called for fresh leadership at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and urged the strengthening of the entity to successfully prosecute State capture and corruption cases.

She noted that recently Batohi admitted that while the NPA had made progress in some areas, it had failed to successfully prosecute any major State capture cases involving politicians, pointing to the hindering effects from that era, when State institutions were hollowed out.

Bernstein stated that the NPA had yet to fully recover from State capture and rebuild an effective national organisation.

She pointed out that getting the "wrong people at the top" had long-term consequences for the institution and the country and urged a reformed appointment process.

While the process which led to Batohi's appointment was more "consultative" than previously, with public interviews, Bernstein explained that a new appointment process must include a selection panel of unaligned individuals of high standing, able to inspire confidence across society.

"…this panel should interview the potential candidates in private - away from the glare of television cameras - and then deliberate carefully based on clearly defined criteria before making their recommendations to the President," she noted in comparing it to the 2019 Sars appointment model.

In addition to legal minds and civil society leaders on the panel, individuals with managerial experience should also be considered, Bernstein suggested, arguing that while the NDPP was a legal position, it was also a managerial role.

"While the composition of the panel, the criteria it applies, candidates' names and the reasoned outcome of the process should be public, the actual interviews and deliberations should not be. Public interviews often produce poor results: good candidates are dissuaded from applying, discussions become superficial, and media spectacle replaces serious engagement. The Judicial Service Commission provides a cautionary example," she explained.

The motivated recommendations for or against a candidate, made to the President by the panel, also must be made public, Bernstein suggested.

INQUIRY

Meanwhile, following dissatisfaction with Batohi's performance as NDPP, the CDE has called for an urgent inquiry into the NPA, headed by a retired judge, to look into the structure, integrity and performance of the organisation.

The CDE explained that the aim of this inquiry would be to probe the NPA's underperformance in making successful prosecutions and provide a report of remedial actions that the new NDPP could use as a "roadmap".

"Without an effective NPA, the prospect of turning the tide against corruption and crime is almost impossible. Fixing the NPA is essential to building a capable State and growing the economy. Appointing the best possible candidate to lead the NPA, coupled with a report into what prevents it from dealing successfully with major corruption cases, requires urgent action by the President now," Bernstein stated.

Lobby group AfriForum said on Monday that if Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen does not urgently take official steps to demand the prioritisation of farm attacks, his statements in the US will amount to gross deception and misrepresentation.

This after Steenhuisen, during the recent meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump, expressed concerns about farm attacks and stock theft, and stating his support for them to be declared priority crimes.

AfriForum Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety Jacques Broodryk said it appears that Steenhuisen is "playing the political game on the international stage".

"It is unfortunate that it took a humiliating meeting with the leader of the US for the Minister of Agriculture to come to his senses and finally admit that farm attacks and murders should be declared a priority crime. This even though the issue has been ignored until now," he said.

Broodryk said the civil rights organisation has repeatedly, unsuccessfully, called for the prioritisation of farm attacks.

"It is tragic that the government, despite years of pressure and requests to prioritise farm murders and attacks, has repeatedly refused to implement the prioritisation. Yet other serious crimes, such as rhino poaching and cash-in-transit heists, have been given priority status," he said.

Meanwhile, he highlighted that last month AfriForum received feedback from the Hawks stating that it would not treat farm attacks as a priority crime.

"This stands in stark contrast to the treatment of other crimes. While rhino poaching is considered a priority crime and political murders receive special attention through the establishment of dedicated task teams, farm attacks do not receive the same treatment. Clearly, politicians' lives are considered much more important those of our farmers.

"It is time for government officials to stop abusing the suffering of farmers for political gain and instead to take decisive, transparent and concrete action to secure rural areas and prevent further loss of life," he stated.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) wants Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola to account for what it describes as the continued promotion of the African National Congress's (ANC's) "failed economic transformation policies", arguing that it strangles South Africa's economic growth agenda internationally and deters foreign direct investment (FDI).

The party said while it "deeply understands" the crucial importance of economic redress, policies such as broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) have been "repeatedly proven" to be ineffective in achieving it.

DA deputy spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation Ryan Smith noted that last week, during the Black Business Council summit, Lamola made a rallying call for black professionals to "defend the revolution".

"…as if organised business is somehow beholden to prop up and defend ill-conceived ANC policy and legislation, despite empirical proof that they continue to drive away FDI and destroy jobs," said Smith.

He said Lamola's comments ran contrary to the Government of National Unity's Statement of Intent, which outlined rapid, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth as a key item on the basic minimum programme of priorities.

"…at a time when South Africa has an immense window of opportunity to attract FDI and reinvigorate economic development through our G20 Presidency, Minister Lamola's comments are reckless and ill-informed, and risk derailing what should be a key moment for our economic diplomacy efforts," Smith said.

As an example, he pointed to his party's proposed Economic Justice Policy, which he explained used poverty as a proxy for disadvantage and not race, to ensure that redress and aid were targeted to the citizens who truly needed it, "instead of further entrenching a system of re-enrichment for the politically connected elite".

He further noted Wits School of Governance's Professor William Gumede's recent statement, in which he said under BBBEE, conservatively R1-trillion had been moved between less than 100 people since 1994, ensuring that the same people had been empowered and re-empowered over and over, and locking millions more citizens out of opportunity and into an endless cycle of poverty and despair.

"In addition, a 2008 study by the University of Pretoria, in which quantitative research was conducted to compare FDI inflows into South Africa with that of other emerging economies of a similar level of development, such as Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Nigeria, and Botswana, makes it clear that the ANC's economic redress policies severely hamper our FDI drives. The research presents a stark indication that policies such as BBBEE impact on South Africa's capability to attract FDI, while demonstrating that our country is losing competitiveness in attracting investment on the continent," Smith said.

He accused Lamola of ignoring the evidence disproving the efficacy of these policies, as the Minister continued to call for their promotion and defence and argued that this signalled to the international community and investors that South Africa remained questionable as an investment destination.

"We cannot afford to continue down this path in the face of stagnant economic growth and ever rising unemployment. We call on Minister Lamola to take seriously his role as the face of South Africa's economic diplomacy agenda and embark on an evidence-based approach to FDI initiatives," he said.