Author: Anjianjei Constantine

Former International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor has praised the survival of the Government of National Unity (GNU), calling it a “sign of political maturity” rather than evidence of a failed state.Speaking on the SABC’s Face the Nation this week, Pandor reflected on the coalition government’s resilience in a challenging political environment.- Advertisement – “The fact that the GNU has survived thus far indicates a useful level of political maturity in South Africa,” she said.“It is the first time we’ve had a national coalition of this kind, apart from, of course, at the inception of our democracy.”Advertisements Pandor Urges Focus On…

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has revealed that municipalities across South Africa collectively owe water boards a staggering R25.1 billion as of June 2025. He made the disclosure while addressing the National Council of Provinces in Parliament on Thursday.Mashatile noted that the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, has urged municipalities to meet their payment obligations.- Advertisement – “As of June 2025, the collective debt owed to water boards across the country stands at R25.1 billion. And to address this, Honourable Chairperson, the Minister of Water and Sanitation has made a call to affected municipalities to make regular payments on…

Former police minister Bheki Cele has failed to respond to Parliament’s invitation to testify before the ad hoc committee investigating KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s explosive claims.Cele was contacted on 8 September and given until 10 September to reply, but no response was received. Committee legal adviser Advocate Norman Arendse confirmed Cele is the only high-profile witness who has not made contact.- Advertisement – Other senior figures — including Acting Minister Firoz Cachalia, Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, and suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu — have already complied with requests.Mkhwanazi Appearance Pushed BackMkhwanazi, the central figure in the probe,…

The African National Congress (ANC) will hold its much-anticipated Special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting this weekend, after several postponements.The two-day gathering, taking place between Saturday and Sunday, is expected to focus on the state of local government and the controversial dual membership of ANC and South African Communist Party (SACP) members.- Advertisement – This follows the SACP’s decision to contest elections independently, a move that has raised serious questions within the tripartite alliance. The ANC has previously admitted it will be difficult to regard the SACP as an alliance partner while competing for the same votes in the 2026…

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has defended broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE), saying the policy has achieved significant progress and should be applied with greater intensity.Speaking during a National Council of Provinces (NCOP) session, Mashatile dismissed criticism that BBBEE had failed, arguing instead that it had opened doors for black ownership in key industries.- Advertisement – He stressed that the legislation was not designed as a race-based tool but as a driver of economic transformation.“Anybody who says we must scrap that means we must go back to apartheid. You basically say: ‘Leave the economy in the hands of whites,’” he said.Advertisements…

EFF leader Julius Malema has intensified his criticism of Operation Dudula, branding the anti-migrant movement a group of “thugs” and calling for urgent police intervention.Taking to X on Wednesday, Malema insisted the Political Killings Task Team should be deployed against the controversial organisation.- Advertisement – “Operation Dudula is a group of thugs and must be subjected to the Political Killings Task Team. Period!” he posted.His remarks came shortly after returning from Nigeria, where he addressed the annual law conference and reiterated his vision for pan-African unity and open borders.Advertisements Operation Dudula’s Controversial Actions Under ScrutinyLaunched as a grassroots movement, the…

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has taken aim at Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating police corruption, labelling it “toothless” for not compelling KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to testify.Malema insisted that Mkhwanazi must appear before the parliamentary hearings even though he is also scheduled to testify before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which begins on 17 September 2025.- Advertisement – Debate Over Witness PrioritiesOn Wednesday, the committee received another progress report ahead of its hearings, which are expected to start with Mkhwanazi’s testimony at the end of September. Discussions centred largely around his role as the first witness.While…

Two of South Africa’s arms of state—the Executive and the Legislature—have launched separate investigations into shocking allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed a judicial commission led by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, while Parliament has set up an ad hoc committee to investigate claims of criminal capture involving drug syndicates, senior politicians, law enforcement leaders, and members of the judiciary.- Advertisement – Mkhwanazi informed the committee that he could not appear before September 24 because of his commitments to the Madlanga Commission. His statement angered several MPs, with some insisting Parliament should not be…

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, told Parliament’s portfolio committees on international relations and justice that more countries are expected to support South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).Several nations, including Brazil, Spain, Turkey, and the Republic of Ireland, have already filed requests to intervene in the case. Lamola confirmed that the government has actively engaged other states to rally support for the Palestinian cause.- Advertisement – African Union Mobilisation for Palestinian SupportLamola explained that South Africa’s efforts go beyond legal action. “Even at the AU level, South Africa continues to mobilise…

Afrika Mayibuye Movement leader Floyd Shivambu has launched a stinging attack on South Africa’s two biggest black political parties, declaring them unfit to address the country’s worsening socio-economic crisis.Speaking to the SABC on Wednesday morning, Shivambu said the ANC was “naturally dying” and had “fulfilled its historical mission.” But he warned that the EFF — his former political home — had become “directionless” and no better option.- Advertisement – “The EFF is not an alternative to the crisis of South Africa,” Shivambu said. “If anything, it will deepen the crisis. Why? Because it’s directionless and has adopted the exact mannerisms…