Former ANC councillor turned independent celebrates winning a ward in Malamulele

The only independent ward councillor in the Collins Chabane Municipality in Malamulele, Limpopo, has promised to be accountable to the villagers.

Phillip Munyai was elected during the recent municipal elections. He contested the 2016 municipal elections under the banner of the governing party, African National Congress (ANC). But, he went independent after he was allegedly removed from the councillor candidate list.

Residents at Mulenzhe have held a celebratory rally for his victory of Ward 19. The Collins Chabane Local Municipality is under the control of the ANC except Ward 19. The municipality has 36 wards.

Munyai says he will continue to be humble and serve communities in the best possible way. After the 2016 municipal elections, Munyai served the communities under the banner of the ANC. He says that the experience gained in his first term will help him to serve the people.

“I don’t have a secret, so far it’s people who said I must represent again because the job of a ward councillor is to be a mediator, it’s being loyal to all community members, all the structures without hiding anything. I am very accessible when there is a funeral, I am the one who goes and takes a grader to serve the community and the bereaved family. Up so far, I have three different projects.”

A resident and South African Communist Party (SACP) supporter, Joseph Rambau, says Munyai has proven to be a good councillor.

“I am a Deputy Chairperson of the SACP as we know that the SACP was supposed to be supporting or to be assisting the ANC during the campaigns, but because the community has said we want Nkanukeni to be there we were forced. As SACP we decided that we are going to do what the community tasked us to do. So that is why maybe it was easy to support him. So we can see that if he is given a chance if you give him this in five years’ time, he will provide more for the community no doubt about it.”

Residents of Mulenzhe and surrounding villages have described Munyai as a good leader.

“He has got energy, he works day and night when we call him he comes to you and assists you. He is a very energetic man every time when we need him, he is able to be found.”

The celebratory rally was attended by people from various political backgrounds.

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Nzimande slams DA’s approach on language policy to attract Afrikaans speaking voters

The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Blade Nzimande has lashed out at the Democratic Alliance (DA), saying it is using the Language Policy Framework of Higher Institutions to attract Afrikaans speaking voters.

He was answering oral questions in the National Assembly.

The DA asked Nzimande why he thinks that Afrikaans and all Khoi, San and Nama languages are not being excluded or disadvantaged by definition of indigenous languages in the language policy framework of higher institutions.

Afrikaans to be phased out at the University of Pretoria:

The Minister said all languages are protected, however attention is given to all African indigenous languages that were suppressed in the past and Afrikaans was privileged.

“It is a fight between the DA and the FFPlus as to who is the best representative of the Afrikaans language and the Afrikaans speakers, and I am just being collaret damage in what is actually an electoral and this issue arose now in the lead up to the local government.

The DA is however scared that the FFPlus is taking its votes away from them that is why they don’t deal with the real issues trying to appeal to Afrikaans speakers in order to increase the vote of the DA.”

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No state funds utilised for payment, delivery of cattle to Zuma: Mkhwebane

Public Protector Busi Mkhwebane has sought to explain why she will not pursue the matter against former North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo in relation to his alleged facilitation of the delivery of cattle to former President Jacob Zuma‘s home at Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal.

Former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) secretary-general Godrich Gardee lodged the complaint in April 2018.

The complaint was based on a newspaper article that detailed that Mahumapelo delivered the herd of cattle costing R1.5 million, meant for emerging farmers to Zuma as a gift.

Mkhwebane says the state did not pay for the donation and delivery of the cattle.

“No state funds were utilised for the payment and delivery of cattle to the former President. There is also no evidence to indicate that the former Premier abused the public trust and the fiscus for his private benefit, thereby violating clauses 2.1 and 2.3 of the Executive Ethics Code. In light of the afore-going, we have therefore decided not to pursue the matter any further and thus finalise it by means of a closing report,” adds Mkhwebane.

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane releases investigation reports:

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Jessie Duarte placed on medical leave

African National Congress (ANC) Deputy Secretary-General, Jessie Duarte has been placed on medical leave following gastrointestinal complications.

Duarte who has been serving as the party’s deputy Secretary-General for nine years was admitted to hospital on Sunday.

In a statement released by the ANC, her party wished her a speedy recovery and indicated that her duties will continue with the help of other NEC members based at the party’s headquarters.

@MYANC statement wishes the Deputy Secretary General, Comrade Jessie Duarte, a speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/qTTyv85wIi

— African National Congress (@MYANC) November 30, 2021

Party President, Cyril Ramaphosa also paid a visit to the 68-year-old.

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Modimolle-Mookgophong council sitting resumes on Monday following multiple disruptions

The council of the hung Modimolle-Mookgophong Municipality in Limpopo is expected to consider flipping a coin to elect a new mayor, speaker and chief whip when the council sitting resumes on Monday.

The sitting to elect the office bearers previously collapsed on two occasions after the voting of nominees for speaker position ended in a stalemate.

The African National Congress (ANC) has 14 seats and other parties also have 14 combined seats.

The first council sitting collapsed after 14 ANC councillors failed to attend it, resulting in the meeting failing to form a quorum. The second sitting was postponed after the voting of the speaker ended in a stalemate.

The third one was postponed following a disruption by ANC councillors. They disrupted the meeting after the voting of the speaker ended in a stalemate for the second time.

All the 28 councillors were sworn in at the council last week.

 

The presiding officer of Modimolle-Mookgophong council to seek advice on the election of office-bearers (25 November 2021)

 

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Mapisa-Nqakula describes travel ban on SA and other SADC countries as “annoying and irritating”

National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has described the travel ban on South Africa and other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries as annoying and irritating.

She says this is despite the fact that South African scientists were the ones to detect the new Omicron variant.

Mapisa-Nqakula was addressing the 7th BRICS Parliamentary Forum at the 143rd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU) at Madrid in Spain on Saturday. She is leading the South African delegation at the IPU.

Discussion on threats posed by the Omicron variant on the tourism sector:

Mapisa-Nqakula says the ban will have an impact on SADC, which is the strongest and most influential region on the continent.

“What that basically means is that in the near future and other meetings which we may hold, of course, it means the African continent will be weakened because the SADC region will not be participating of course except for the virtual platform. I just thought I should say this because it is actually irritating. It is annoying because we are the ones who have come out and said there is this (Omicron variant) and now we find ourselves in a situation of isolation,” says Mapisa-Nqakula.

COVID-19 I Professor Bruce Mellado on the Omicron variant:

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Sihle Zikalala says they’re relieved ANC retained eThekwini Metro mayorship

The African National Congress (ANC) chairperson in KwaZulu-Natal, Sihle Zikalala says that they’re relieved that the party retained the mayorship of eThekwini, following a partnership with the Abantu Batho Congress (ABC), a smaller party with two seats in the eThekwini council.

Philani Mavundla from the Abantu Batho Congress, who is expected to take up the Deputy Mayor position, helped deliver a win for mayor Mxolisi Kaunda.

Zikalala says that none of the major parties supported them.

“The metro is so big to have a leadership that is just constituted by a mixture of organisations with various differing interests. We’re very grateful. We also want to thank smaller parties that supported us. We were not supported by major political parties. In fact, this is a defeat to the DA, IFP and EFF combined,” says Zikalala.

Zikalala welcomes election of Mxolisi Kaunda as eThekwini: 

Mxolisi Kaunda has been re-elected as mayor with 113 of the 219 votes. Zikalala has thanked the smaller parties for their support.

“We also want to thank smaller parties that supported us and it must be clear we were not supported by any major political parties in fact this is a defeat to the DA, IFP and EFF combined. By saying so we are not arrogant or boasting but we clean to thank those parties that came on board when we were saying let us all come together to protect the revolution and ensure we serve our people.”

LGE 2021 | Mxolisi Kaunda elected Mayor of eThekwini Metro:

 

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Bathabile Dlamini’s perjury case remanded to Thursday

The perjury case against former Social Development Minister, Bathabile Dlamini has been remanded to tomorrow. Dlamini appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court today for her role in the 2017 social grant crisis.   

The state applied for the perjury case against Dlamini be remanded, arguing that its witnesses had not been consulted.   

According to State Advocate, Jacob Serepo, the first witness in the case, Sassa Regional Executive Manager in the North West Zodwa Mvulane had failed to respond to messages on numerous occasions despite being subpoenaed and was moving between Limpopo and the North West. The state also submitted that the second witness, former Sassa CEO, Thokozani Magwaza had provided a contact number that went unanswered on various occasions and was based in KwaZulu-Natal.   

Perjury case against Bathabile Dlamini has been postponed to Thursday:

Defence Advocate, Tshepiso Phahlane opposed the application for the matter to be remanded saying the reasons advanced are purely administrative.  

“The prosecution is not setting out good grounds for you to consider in order to decide whether to grant a remand or not. The reasons advanced are purely administrative. Mrs Dlamini was summoned to appear before you last month. She did, she came. The matter was postponed in order for the prosecution and the defence to (avail) themselves before trial. On the last occasion, you asked if the prosecution was ready to proceed. They confirmed, we also confirmed that we were ready to proceed.  And we came here ready to proceed with the trial. One would’ve expected that when the state said they were ready for trial, they had consulted, they knew which witnesses to call. But today, they ask you to give them indulgence so that they can then decide if they’re going to call the witness they have subpoenaed or not. It’s unacceptable.” 

The former Social Development minister pleaded not guilty to the perjury charges against her. The case relates to her testimony at an inquiry established by the Constitutional Court into her role in the 2017 social grant crisis. 

The inquiry headed by Judge Bernard Ngoepe investigated whether Dlamini should be held personally liable for the cost of the Sassa debacle. The judge found that Dlamini had been evasive when questions were put to her during the inquiry. This after the Constitutional Court had declared the contract between the company tasked with the distribution of social grants, Cash Paymaster Services’ (CPS) and Sassa illegal and invalid.  

Despite the state’s previous indication that it was ready to proceed with the case, Magistrate Betty Khumalo says the one-day delay is not prejudicial to the defence.     

“Much as I’m also surprised that the state has found itself in this position, but I must say that I’m comforted and consoled that this is not the only day and maybe it was an oversight on the part of the state to not alert the defence about the predicament, which I’m also not finding to be a good oversight at this point. But be that as it may, I don’t think that the request for indulgence at this stage is too unreasonable. When I listened to the state’s submission, this could have not been something that they wanted and that this was not foreseen by them that all of a sudden, their witnesses… I’m inclined to indulge the state.” 

The report and transcripts have been handed in to the court as evidence.  

NPA Spokesperson, Phindi Mjonodwana says this will be important with the commencement and progression of the trial. 

“It was important that those records be submitted as exhibits that can be used because remember that the case is about the accused testimony in the inquiry that was chaired by former Judge President, Ngoepe. So, it was of importance that those records be submitted so that both the state and the defence can easily use it as reference in leading and cross-examination of evidence.” 

Dlamini made her first court appearance in September after the Director of Public Prosecutions in Gauteng decided to prosecute her for perjury. 

She’s expected back in court on Thursday morning. 

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Coalitions must work together to ensure service delivery is achieved: FF Plus

The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) says coalitions must work together to ensure service delivery is achieved.

This comes after the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) mayoral candidate, Randall Williams, was re-elected unopposed in Tshwane o Tuesday.

The DA has won Gauteng’s three metropolitan areas, Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.

The FF Plus’ Elections Head, Wouter Wessels says coalition agreements are still being formalised.

“We are still formalizing agreements with certain parties, but the DA and ourselves have a formal agreement and the other parties are on the brink of an agreement. So it is a formalized agreement and there won’t be any problems with that. We must turn around the fiscal position of Tshwane and then there are promises we must follow to ensure there [is] delivery of the promises made and we will put the residents of Tshwane first as well as act in their good interest,” says Wessels.

VIDEO: Prof Steven Friedman on DA taking over Tshwane:

Render services

Williams says political parties should put their differences aside to adequately render services to the citizens.

He says talks for a coalition government are ongoing.

“Negotiations are continuing. Like I said, we haven’t finalised the agreements. But as we put it down here, our leaders put it that there must be a coalition agreement. And these coalition agreements must be made public. So we must continue to pursue.”

Williams has outlined his priorities for the city – saying he wants to see weekly improvements in the metro’s finances and service delivery performance.

“That is still ongoing – the coalition negotiations. The priorities will be the finances, the delivery of basic services and the infrastructure. Those three have been my priorities since the end of last year. I base my decisions on evidence and data-driven decisions. What I am looking for is incremental improvements week by week. I will continue to do that as there have been improvements in the City of Tshwane,” says Williams .

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New Johannesburg mayor says her election signals maturity in SA democracy

Newly elected City of Johannesburg Mayor Dr Mpho Phalatse says her election signals that democracy in South Africa is maturing, with multi-party governments becoming the order of the day.

A first female Mayor for the country’s economic hub, Phalatse says it’s now time for the citizens of the city to have access to basic services, irrespective of their political affiliation.

She won 144 votes, beating the African National Congress’ (ANC) Mpho Moerane who got 121 votes.

Phalatse was cheered by the Democratic Alliance (DA) members in the council, as the announcement was made by the newly elected Speaker who is also a DA member, Vasco Da Gama.

Video: Johannesburg Councillors vote for their mayoral candidates:

Speaking to the media just after being announced as the new Mayor, Phalatse said: “I’m quite honored to be the first female Mayor of Johannesburg. It’s a huge honour, I do not take it for granted. Joburg is the economic hub of the country and in many ways of the continent.”

“To be trusted with such a mammoth task as a female, is really saying to a lot of women out there, you can do it, you can be trusted too and you’re not the other, you’re good enough. I hope this can be a trailblazer for all the women out there coming after me who also put their hand up for all sorts of things.”

Video: DA’s Mpho Phalatse is the new Mayor of Johannesburg

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Law enforcement officers deployed to monitor situation in Port St Johns

Law enforcement officers have been deployed to monitor the situation in Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape where residents of two Wards in the area’s local municipality protested against the swearing in of two councillors.

They say they do not accept the councillors because the African National Congress imposed them on the residents.

The residents also claim the councillors are not from their wards. Zwelenkosi Sonjica and Siviwe Mjoli are from Wards 20 and two.

They say, “Even if he is sworn in, we will not accept him as our councillor. He must go back to Ward 17. I don’t know how he will do that because Ward 17 already has a councillor. We would rather put everything on standstill than allow him to lead us.”

“We did not vote for him. We voted for the ANC that we love. We just don’t want him at Ward 2 because he’s not from there. He may have been sworn in, but we will never let him lead us”.

In October, residents of Matsikama spoke about the function of local councillors:

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Process of giving people of Ekurhuleni their dignity back starts now: Newly elected mayor Tania Campbell

Newly elected City of Ekurhuleni mayor Tania Campbell says now starts the process of giving the people of Ekurhuleni their dignity back.

She says she will ensure that every tender that is issued, is done so in a transparent and fair manner and ensure there is value for money.

Campbell defeated former mayor Mzwandile Masina to become the new mayor during a vote in the Germiston Council Chambers on Gauteng’s East Rand.

Chaos broke out during voting for the position of mayor of Ekurhuleni metro, after an Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) official called out an Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) councillor who was taking a photo of the ballot paper.

Voting had to be halted as some African National Congress (ANC) and EFF councillors started verbally attacking each other.

Eventually, calm was restored and voting resumed leading to the election of Campbell as the new mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni Metro.

“This is the change our people have been waiting for, for 20 years. Now is not the time for more promises, now is the time to get things done. For far too long our people have been living in substandard conditions.”

“Our residents have been living in a metro where service delivery is non-existent, where millions of rands spend on housing projects, and substations and yet nothing to show. This ends today,” explains Campbell.

In the video below, Campbell addresses the council:

Of the 221 votes cast, Campbell got 116 beating Masina who obtained 105 votes.

Masina says he does not feel any resentment.

“This is politics, how can I be aggrieved. I was not born with a vote in my mouth. What happened was democracy in action. I am still intact. I congratulate all the office bearers who have been elected and I am happy for all of them.”

“I have spoken to the leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) Tanya Campbell. I have assured her of the peaceful transition, so that we can get back to the business of council and do our work for the betterment of our community,” adds Masina.

EFF leader Julius Malema had warned after the collapse of their coalition talks with the ANC that they would work to destabilise the ANC.

It now appear that his threats were not just empty rhetoric.

DA Ekurhuleni chairperson Nkululeko Dunga says, “Well the holistic agenda more than anything is to deconstruct not only factionalism but corruption that emanates within the ANC and its governance. So there is a holistic agenda to demobilise corruption in SA and it starts with the removal of the ANC.”

The position of Speaker of Council and Chief Whip have also gone to DA councillors Raymond Dlamini and Khetha Shandu respectively.

In the video below, Raymond Dlamini of the DA elected as Speaker in the City of Ekurhuleni:

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Newly-elected councillors in Nelson Mandela Bay to be inaugurated in council meeting

A council meeting in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is expected to sit on Monday at the Feather Market Centre in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape for the election of office bearers and the inauguration of the newly-elected councillors.

The meeting was postponed on Friday following a letter from the Co-operative Governance MEC Xolile Nqatha, saying the Acting City Manager Anele Qaba did not have the authority to call and preside over the meeting.

The council meeting is expected to elect a new Mayor, Speaker and Chief Whip as well as establish a government for the Metro.

In the letter, Nqatha says Qaba’s tenure as Acting City Manager expired in October hence he cannot preside over the meeting.

LGE 2021 | NMB Council postponed to Monday due to doubts over Acting City Manager’s role

Qaba disputes the statement but says he will accede to Nqatha’s instructions to maintain good relations between two spheres of government.

It is still unclear whether the two parties with majority seats in the metro, the ANC and the DA, will be able to form a coalition with minority parties.

The EFF, the third biggest party in the council, says it won’t be voting with both parties.

LGE 2021 | Political parties pressed to decide on coalitions as deadline looms: Ongama Mtimka

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North West local municipal councils expected to elect political office bearers

Eighteen North West local municipal councils are expected to convene meetings to elect political office bearers on Monday.

They include mayors, speakers and chief whip of councils with municipal managers expected to preside over the meetings.

It is however not clear yet who will govern in the provinces three hung councils.

The convening of municipal councils follow the recent local government elections.

Since then, political parties have been engaging each other in talks with the aim of entering into coalitions in three of the provinces municipalities where the African National Congress (ANC) could not secure an outright majority.

The video below is shining the spotlight on coalitions:

They are the JB Marks Local Municipality in Potchefstroom, Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality in Bloemhof and Christiana areas, as well as Rustenburg Local Municipality.

The biggest parties in the province, have already indicated their unwillingness to enter into any coalition agreement with the ANC.

One such party is the Democratic Alliance (DA).

The party’s elections head, Chris Hattingh says, “The Democratic Alliance will not go into any coalition in the hung municipalities in the North West province. We certainly cannot get the ANC solely responsible for the collapse of local government in the North West province a life raft. The DA will continue to be the best opposition that [we] can be. [This] is the mandate that we [have] received from our voters.”

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) maintains that its doors are still open for any party that has an interest to engage it on coalitions.

Economic Freedom Fighters provincial secretary Papiki Babuile, however says so far only one of the smaller parties in Rustenburg has engaged them.

“So far we only had one small party in Rustenburg which has approached us. The national leadership of the EFF will give guidance on what should be the way forward on other municipalities that include Lekwa Teemane and JB Marks,” explains Babuile.

Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) Provincial Deputy leader, De Wet Nel, reiterated his party’s position that they will remain an opposition party.

“In the North West, there is no coalition government that we will be part of. Although in some of the municipalities, we might consider to put our vote towards a coalition which will benefit our voters,” adds De Wet Nel.

However, the ANC in the province remains confident that with coalition agreements already entered into with some of the smaller parties, it will govern all the municipalities.

The ANC’s Interim provincial committee (IPC) coordinator, Hlomani Chauke says, “We expect councils to convene. We expect to see the appointment of the speaker, the mayor and many others in terms of what is expected from councils. We are confident because the partnership we have entered in, is a very committed partnership.”

Analysis on parties coalition talks:

Local government expert, Professor Barry Hanyane, believe the ANC has no choice but to form coalition if it still wants to be in power.

“It’s the ANC that is facing the barrel of a party in disarray, a party in crisis. Crisis represented here by what is happening Luthuli House, and they have no choice but to swallow [their] pride. The whole syndrome of big brother mentality has come and gone. It’s time now to face reality,” explains Hanyane.

Political analyst, Professor Andre Duvenhage, says the outcome of the election results necessitated coalition government.

“The voters have spoken and the results bring us to a point where we need coalitions. Now coalition politics is a relative new thing for the majority of municipalities implicated here.”

After the 2016 local government elections, the ANC could also not get an outright majority in the Rustenburg Local Municipality.

They ultimately managed to get their mayoral candidate Mpho Khunou elected by obtaining 46 seats out of an 89 seat council.

It remains to be seen whether the ANC in the province, will this time be able to retain its power to govern all municipalities.

Parties urged to work together

Gauteng Co-operative Governance MEC, Lebogang Maile, says he wishes political parties could work together to ensure that they deliver quality services to the people.

Maile was briefing members of the media on coalitions following the local government elections.

Voter turnout was at historic lows in this year’s municipal elections – with outright wins evading the major parties in many areas.

This has necessitated talks between parties – which have encountered numerous obstacles ahead of the Tuesday deadline to form administrations.

Maile says politicians will be punished if they fail the voters.

In the video below, Maile addresses the media:

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ANC resolves to review its coalition with ICOSA in Kannaland amid calls to remove Mayor convicted of rape

The African National Congress (ANC) in the Western Cape says it has resolved to review its coalition with the Independent Civic Organisation of South Africa (ICOSA) at Kannaland, in the Little Karoo.

This follows calls from opposition parties and child rights organisations for the removal of the Mayor, Jeffrey Donson, and his Deputy, Werner Meshoa.

Coalition between ANC and ICOSA in Kannaland under fire amid mayor’s criminal records

Donson was convicted of statutory rape in 2008 and Meshoa was convicted earlier this year for fraud and obstruction of justice.

ANC Provincial Spokesperson, Sifiso Mtsweni says their negotiating team has until Tuesday to engage with all parties and resolve the matter.

“While we respect and uphold the democratic wishes of Kannaland, who have on successive occasions chose to elect ICOSA as the majority party, the IPC (Interim Provincial Committee) resolved to mandate a negotiating team to review the coalition agreements in Kannaland municipality. The ANC stands opposed to any forms of GBV (Gender-based violence) and corruption and must at all times act in the best interest of our principles,” says Mtsweni .

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Suspended ANC deputy convener Ngwenya says suspension is politically motivated, plans to appeal decision

The suspended African National Congress (ANC) Ehlanzeni deputy convener, Michael Ngwenya, says he is going to appeal the decision to suspend him at the party’s national office in Johannesburg.

Ngwenya says his suspension is politically motivated. He claims that it is aimed at preventing him from participating in the ANC’s provincial conference.

Ngwenya allegedly mobilised people earlier this year to go to Nkandla to support former President Jacob Zuma when he was jailed for ignoring a constitutional court order to appear before the State Capture Commission.

Activities outside Zuma’s home in Nkandla as his arrest is imminent:

Ngwenya says the allegations levelled against him are baseless.

“We are going to appear, and after, we will give them 14 days to respond.  If they don’t respond,  we are taking the matter to the High Court because it is not the first time. Each and every conference they suspend me. Charles Makola suspended me when he was contesting comrade D. This matter is political, you see it was formed in faction, ” says Ngwenya.

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There’s nothing wrong with ActionSA, DA having the same donors: Political analyst

Political analyst Dr Ralph Mathekga says there is nothing wrong with ActionSA  and the Democratic Alliance (DA) having the same donors.

At least six political parties have revealed their funders in line with the Political Party Funding Act.

They include the African National Congress (ANC), the DA, African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), Good Party,  ActionSA and the Abantu Integrity Movement.

All parties are expected to disclose funding amounting to over R100 000 to the Electoral Commission (IEC).

IEC’s report on political party funding: Lulu White

The IEC report has revealed that the Oppenheimer family, businessman Martin Moshal and Naspers collectively donated over R30 million to ActionSA and the Democratic Alliance ahead of the recent local government elections.

Mathekga says it is good for democracy to have small parties funded by donors of big parties.

In September the Electoral Commission reported that the majority of political parties in South Africa are not receiving much in direct donations from private individuals.

The statement was revealed by the Electoral Commission (IEC) in its first quarterly report detailing all declarations made by political parties in line with the Political Funding Act.

The Act, which came into force in April 2021, requires political parties and their donors to disclose to the IEC donations of above R100 000 and the IEC to publish this information every three months.

IEC briefing on political party funding:

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US nominates Dr Reuben E. Brigety as its next Ambassador to South Africa

SABC News has exclusively learned that the United States has put forward Dr Reuben E. Brigety II as its next Ambassador to South Africa and is awaiting Pretoria’s input.

Brigety is an American diplomat and academic who currently serves as the Vice Chancellor and President of the University of the South in Tennessee.

Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports that if the nomination proceeds successfully, he will take up the position held vacant since the departure of Lana Marks at the conclusion of former President Donald Trump’s administration.

Scoop: #SABCNEWS has learned that Dr Reuben E. Brigety II is President Joe Biden’s pick as next Ambassador to South Africa.

Brigety is an American diplomat and academic who currently serves as the Vice Chancellor and President of the University of the South in Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/UCYbraLIcc

— Sherwin Bryce-Pease (@sherwiebp) November 17, 2021

Sources in Washington have confirmed that Brigety is President Joe Biden’s pick to lead their diplomatic missions in South Africa.

The United States Embassy in Pretoria has been without a permanent head for most of 2021 and Brigety, if confirmed, would bring a wealth of diplomatic experience to the job.

Cementing his African bonafides, his wife Dr Leelie Selassie – a medical doctor – was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This was his introductory video when taking up his current position at the University of the South:

He is a former United States Ambassador to the African Union serving in that position from 2013 to 2015 and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs before that.

The Cambridge educated Brigety would be a markedly different appointment to his predecessor Ambassador Lana Marks who was a handbag designer without any diplomatic experience before she was tapped by former President Donald Trump.

The White House has yet to make the nomination official as it awaits concurrence from the South African government.

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Calls for the reinstatement of former North West Finance MEC Wendy Nelson

Some ANC members in the North West have called for the reinstatement of former Finance MEC, Wendy Nelson, as both a member of the ANC IPC and the provincial legislature. Those who made the call are from Ward 3 of the Matlosana sub-region in Klerksdorp.

Nelson and head of the Provincial Health Department, Dr Thabo Lekalakala were acquitted of fraud charges by the North West High Court in Mahikeng, last week. The duo were arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in 2019.

The 2019 fraud charges emanate from Lekalakala’s appointment as Superintendent-General in the Health Department. It was alleged Nelson, who chaired the interview panel, knew of Lekalakala’s misrepresentation on his Z83 application form, but recommend that he be employed in the senior position anyway.

Lekalakala still faces charges regarding the appointment of the Gupta-owned Mediosa to provide mobile health services in the North West. He reportedly gave the company a R30 million advance payment to supply mobile clinics to the provincial health department.

Following her arrest and subsequent appearance in court, Nelson was requested by the ANC IPC to step aside. This was in accordance with a resolution taken at the party’s national conference. The resolution states that a member facing criminal charges, should step aside until the case is concluded.

Nelson complied with the decision. And now that she has been acquitted, her branch demands her reinstatement.

“Today, we are celebrating the acquittal of comrade Wendy Nelson on all charges as per the NEC decision. We call on the IPC of the North West to reinstate her in both positions, that of the IPC Fund Raiser and in the North West Provincial Legislature without any delay as they did with her removal,” explains Spokesperson for the branch, Riaad Williams.

The ANC in the province says it is engaging with Nelson on the matter.

“We have already interacted with comrade Wendy and we are happy and congratulated her that she has managed. In fact, we have issued a statement as the party in the province. So, those engagements are happening. She will be back once we have clarified all of those internal issues that we have to deal with. Well, the issue of the legislature again is a matter that will get debated by the structure, if a need arises to look at her deployment because it’s the party that deploys. We will decide where we want to deploy her again,” says Coordinator for the ANC IPC, Hlomane Chauke.

Political Analyst, Professor Andre Duvenhage, believes the ANC in the North West has its work cut out for it in dealing with this matter.

“Currently, it’s the situation a bit of a catch 22 for the leadership in the ANC. If they act according to the rule, there is trouble; if they do not act, there is also trouble. And if the leadership is inconsistent, this is going to breed a number of problems within the context. What we are looking at is a scenario where Wendy Nelson should be reinstated in terms of her previous position that is within the IPC and within the legislature.”

Those demanding Nelson’s reinstatement have vowed to engage the ANC’s national leadership, should the provincial leadership delay in meeting their demands.

VIDEO: North West ANC IPC confirms that four of its members have stepped aside

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ACM reluctant to continue with coalition talks in Maluti-A-Phofung

The African Content Movement (ACM) says it is reluctant to continue with coalition talks in Maluti-A-Phofung Municipality in the Free State as the deadline looms for municipalities to form coalitions.

The ACM says the ANC and MAP16 are cut from the same cloth.

The party has also accused MAP16 of being greedy and not willing to share high positions in the municipality.

It says the ANC on the other hand has been in government for years and failed the embattled municipality.

The last option is now for the party to pull out and be in opposition.

The party’s deputy president, Isaac Letsoaka says they will soon announce a final decision.

“We have been talking to the African National Congress (ANC) and they sent us David Mahlobo but they have leadership in Maluti-A-Phofung who we are supposed to talk to. In MAP16, it seems as if they are after positions because they want the mayoral position and the speaker,” explains Letsoaka.

“We are [a] little bit worried about those councillors who have been in the ANC for a long time. Since [ANC councillors  took over] then this municipality has been having problems. We have not yet finalised everything up to so far, we are waiting for Thursday,” adds Letsoaka.

Meanwhile, plans to form a coalition government in the hung Nelson Mandela Bay Metro have hit a snag.

This comes after the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) announced it will not be voting with the ANC or the Democratic Alliance (DA).

The metro will be holding its inaugural council meeting on Wednesday.

Both the ANC and the DA are in pole position to form coalition government with 48 seats each.

A political party needs 61 seats to have majority in council, and the EFF was seen as the kingmakers with its eight seats.

LGE 2021 | EFF leader says they have held talks with the ANC, Action SA, IFP and others:

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