Author: Kgaogelo Magolego
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula says former minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma must either apologise for alleging he bought votes during the ANC’s 2022 elective conference or defend her claims in court. Mbalula was speaking on the sidelines of the ANC’s Special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Boksburg, where he confirmed he has instructed his lawyers to demand that Dlamini-Zuma retract or clarify the allegations. He insisted the claims have damaged his reputation and challenged the veteran ANC leader to produce evidence to support her accusations. “It can’t be resolved either way other than through the courts. No individual has the right,…
Another witness has described an atmosphere of fear and intimidation at IDAC, where staff were allegedly pressured into conducting unlawful investigations and pursuing malicious prosecutions. Matthews Sesoko, Head of Investigations and Operations at IDAC, admitted that he kept a low profile and never questioned decisions made by the institution’s then head, Andrea Johnson, and those close to her. Sesoko appeared reluctant to mention Johnson by name, consistently referring to her as the “IG”, but the commission insisted that he identify her directly. “And what I went through… Sometimes, standing up against things that are wrong, you end up becoming a…
ActionSA Member of Parliament Darlene James has responded on social media after being implicated during testimony at the Madlanga Commission in connection with allegations of an alleged plot to remove National Police Commissioner Major-General Fannie Masemola. According to testimony by IDAC prosecutor Drushantha Ramsamy, the alleged plan was discussed within the anti-corruption unit and involved James, National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams, and DA policing spokesperson Ian Cameron as alleged role players. Ramsamy continued her testimony on Wednesday, telling the commission that there was an alleged plan to create a situation in which Masemola could be accused of misleading Parliament…
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has condemned reports that citizens from African countries supporting the global reparations campaign are facing increased visa rejections, warning that no nation should be punished for pursuing what he described as a legitimate demand for historical justice. Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, Lamola said it would be unfair and unreasonable for Western countries to use visa policies to pressure African governments into abandoning calls for reparations for colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade. His remarks follow reports by immigration advocacy organisations that visa applications from citizens of some African countries are being rejected…
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation is moving to limit former president Jacob Zuma’s foreign travel. The move comes after the former president undertook a series of international trips, with the government particularly concerned about his visits to Morocco and, later, India. While in the North African state, Zuma displayed the national flag and endorsed Morocco’s continued occupation of Western Sahara, contradicting the positions of both the South African government and the ANC, the liberation movement he led for decades and which later propelled him to become head of state. Zuma, who remained active in politics after his removal…
Former President Jacob Zuma has reshuffled the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party’s top leadership, removing several senior figures as he strengthens his grip on the organisation. Former Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe has been removed as the party’s First Deputy President and replaced by Zuma’s son, Duduzane Zuma. Tony Yengeni remains the party’s Second Deputy President. Former Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko has also been relieved of his duties as National Chairperson, while Nomsa Dlamini has been removed as Deputy Secretary-General. Known for making late-night leadership changes, Zuma did not provide specific reasons for the reshuffle, saying only that the changes were…
Disgraced former IDAC head Andrea Johnson and her close ally, senior prosecutor Brian Padayachee, allegedly disregarded evidence to prosecute individuals they had targeted. This was the testimony of Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions at IDAC, Advocate Peter Serunye, before the Madlanga Commission. He referred to several cases, including that involving former Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo, Brigadier Dineo Mokwele and others who were charged in connection with Mokwele’s appointment within the South African Police Service (SAPS). Serunye expressed disappointment with his former superior, Andrea Johnson, and senior prosecutor Brian Padayachee, whom he accused of misleading both him and a junior…
The European Union is working to ease tensions among member states following the arrival of tens of thousands of migrants from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, with some European countries blaming what they describe as Spain’s soft approach to illegal immigration. The diplomatic efforts come after Spanish authorities confirmed that the number of people who crossed into the territory by swimming or walking on Thursday and Friday was around 70,000, significantly higher than the initial figure of 49,000. The death toll has also risen to 70, with authorities attributing the fatalities mainly to drowning. Eleven of those who…
The agenda for reparations linked to colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade is expected to gain momentum as the new leadership of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) settles into office, with a clear objective of strengthening the institution through reforms and promoting initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). A key priority for the new leadership is the ratification of the Malabo Protocol (2014). Its adoption would transform the PAP from a consultative body into a legislative institution with meaningful powers. Although reparations were not discussed during the PAP’s recent sitting in Midrand, South Africa, the new leadership…
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has warned disgruntled individuals and communities against boycotting elections, saying opting out of democratic participation could limit their ability to influence decisions affecting their daily lives. The warning follows the final voter registration weekend, during which some communities expressed dissatisfaction over ward changes resulting from municipal boundary reviews. Election-related protests were reported in parts of the North West and Limpopo, with residents raising concerns about their areas being moved into different wards following reviews by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB). IEC Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Masego Sheburi said elections provide citizens with an opportunity to…