DA-RUN WESTERN CAPE MUNICIPALITIES LEAD NATIONAL FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY INDEX

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

DA-RUN WESTERN CAPE MUNICIPALITIES LEAD NATIONAL FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY INDEX

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CAPE TOWN – Democratic Alliance (DA)-led municipalities are continuing to set the national standard for service delivery and fiscal discipline, according to the latest findings from the Municipal Financial Sustainability Index (MFSI).

​The report, compiled annually by independent governance ratings agency Ratings Afrika, highlights a severe financial crisis affecting a majority of South Africa's municipalities due to poor governance. In contrast, local governments governed by a DA majority have demonstrated strong financial resilience and stable infrastructure management.  

​Cape Town Outperforms All Other Metros

​The City of Cape Town has solidified its position as the country's best-run metropolitan area, emerging as the only metro in South Africa officially classified as "highly financially sustainable".  

​Cape Town secured an overall index score of 71 out of 100, outperforming the combined average score of 36 recorded by the remaining metros by a full 35 points. This exceptional financial standing is driven by a remarkable 98% revenue collection rate, far exceeding the national metro average of 85.3%.  

​According to local authorities, this rigorous fiscal performance enables Cape Town to execute a record R40 billion infrastructure investment over the next three years, expected to generate approximately 130,000 construction-related jobs.  

​Top Local Municipalities Dominated by the Western Cape

​The index evaluated the financial performance of South Africa's largest local municipalities, identifying the top five best-performing local governments in the country. All five are DA-run municipalities located in the Western Cape:  

​~ Drakenstein

​~ Hessequa

​~ Overstrand

​~ Saldanha Bay

​~ Swartland

​With an average score of 57, the Western Cape remains the highest-performing province in South Africa by a substantial margin. It stands alone as the only province to score above 50 and the only region where municipalities can, on average, be regarded as financially sustainable. Conversely, when Western Cape data is excluded, the national municipal average drops to a low score of 27 out of 100.  

​Tangible Outcomes for Residents

​The DA noted that these high-ranking positions represent tangible daily benefits for residents rather than mere statistics on paper.

Responsible financial management translates directly into consistent refuse collection, properly maintained roads, reliable water services, and heavy infrastructure investments that foster job creation.

​Party leadership emphasized that these results reflect the DA's focus on putting the interests of residents above volatile political maneuvers, prioritizing stable service delivery over chaotic coalitions.

​The maintenance of high-quality local governance will be a defining choice for residents on the ballot paper in the upcoming November municipal elections.

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EFF GAUTENG WELCOMES PRECAUTIONARY SUSPENSION OF TSHWANE CITY MANAGER JOHANN METTLER

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR 

EFF GAUTENG WELCOMES PRECAUTIONARY SUSPENSION OF TSHWANE CITY MANAGER JOHANN METTLER

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​PRETORIA – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng has officially welcomed the decision by the City of Tshwane Council to place City Manager and Accounting Officer Johann Mettler on precautionary suspension pending an independent investigation.  

​The resolution was taken during a closed council sitting following a 45-page complaint lodged by the EFF, which accuses Mettler of serious misconduct, financial mismanagement, maladministration, and a gross dereliction of duty.  

​A Long-Standing Call for Accountability

​The EFF stated that the council's decision follows years of mounting concerns raised by the party regarding Mettler’s administrative leadership, poor performance, and a general deterioration of municipal governance.

​According to the red berets, the party has consistently called for decisive action against the City Manager since 2023. 

The EFF maintains that Mettler repeatedly failed to discharge his regulatory responsibilities, alleging that he played to the political gallery by partisanly advancing the interests of the Democratic Alliance (DA) rather than serving the capital city and its residents impartially.

​Solidarity’s Legal Threats Critiqued

​The EFF Gauteng further noted a letter of demand issued by the trade union Solidarity (Solidariteit) on behalf of Mettler, which threatens urgent legal action to reverse the council’s suspension order.

​While acknowledging that every employee maintains a constitutional right to approach the courts, the EFF emphasized that litigation must not be used as a tool to frustrate lawful oversight and democratic accountability processes.

​The party defended the council’s intervention framework, explaining the systemic necessity of the suspension:

​Protection of Integrity: A precautionary suspension is neither an implementation of punishment nor a final finding of guilt; it is a standard procedural measure to protect the independence of the investigation.  

​Preventing Interference: As head of the municipal administration, the City Manager exercises direct authority over senior officials, municipal records, internal systems, and day-to-day operations. His continued presence could create a reasonable perception that witnesses or evidence could be compromised.

​The EFF labeled Solidarity’s position as contradictory, arguing that the union cannot logically claim to support an independent probe while simultaneously demanding that the individual under investigation remain in absolute control of the institution’s records and staff.  

​Calls for Interference-Free Investigation

​The suspension aligns with the Local Government: Disciplinary Regulations for Senior Managers, which permit a council to issue a precautionary suspension if a manager's presence risks jeopardizing an active probe or undermining municipal stability.  

​The EFF Gauteng has called on all political parties and external organizations to allow the independent investigation to proceed without intimidation, interference, or premature conclusions. The party insisted that the eventual findings must be implemented without fear, favor, or selective application.

​The regional command concluded by emphasizing that the City of Tshwane must continue to function effectively under the newly appointed Acting City Manager, Musa Kumalo, to guarantee uninterrupted service delivery to local communities. 

The EFF reiterated its commitment to clean governance, asserting that no public official is above absolute accountability.

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MK PARTY DEMANDS URGENT PARLIAMENTARY PROBE INTO EXPLOSIVE CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS AGAINST IDAC HEAD ADV. ANDREA JOHNSON

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR 

MK PARTY DEMANDS URGENT PARLIAMENTARY PROBE INTO EXPLOSIVE CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS AGAINST IDAC HEAD ADV. ANDREA JOHNSON

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​JOHANNESBURG – The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) has demanded swift and thorough parliamentary oversight following serious allegations made under oath at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry implicating the Head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), Advocate Andrea Johnson.  

​The party's intervention follows highly compromising testimony delivered on Friday, 10 July 2026, by retired Hawks Colonel Kobus Roelofse. Roelofse’s evidence raised grave concerns regarding potential interference, conflicts of interest, and the use of unofficial channels within South Africa’s highest anti-corruption institutions.  

​The Allegations: Protecting a Suspect via 'Off-the-Grid' Channels

​Colonel Roelofse's detailed testimony before the commission exposed an alleged "cabal" and a serious breach of protocol concerning a 2018 criminal case. The case involved Major-General Feroz Khan, the suspended deputy head of Crime Intelligence, who was facing charges of assault and intimidation opened by a colleague, Brigadier Leonora Phetlhe.  

​According to evidence presented under oath:

​Improper Sharing of Docket Material: Adv. Johnson allegedly obtained key investigation materials—including the complainant's sworn statement, a J88 medical report, and an audio recording—and leaked them to a third party to be handed directly to Khan.  

​Evidence Tailoring: This occurred before Major-General Khan had formally submitted his own version of events or warning statement to investigators, potentially allowing the suspect to tailor his defense.  

​Use of Private Channels: Testifying officers pointed out that Johnson allegedly utilized an "off-the-grid" personal Gmail account to transmit the sensitive case materials rather than using her official National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) channels.  

​Furthermore, Roelofse testified to a deeply troubling subsequent development where National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi allegedly informed Adv. Johnson about the confidential whistleblower affidavit filed against her, heavily compromising witness safety and the integrity of the investigation.  

​MK Party Demands Decisive Parliamentary Action

​In response to the "bombshell" testimonies, the MK Party confirmed it has taken active steps to force the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development to place the matter on its urgent agenda.

​The party is calling for a comprehensive accountability process, which includes:

​Dedicated Briefings: Direct accountability briefings from IDAC Head Adv. Andrea Johnson, NDPP Shamila Batohi, and the Minister of Justice.

​Full Document Disclosure: Complete disclosure of all internal dockets, communication logs, and materials related to the probe.

​Professional Referrals: Consideration of appropriate disciplinary and professional referrals to the Legal Practice Council (LPC) and external investigative bodies.

​Restoring Public Trust in the NPA

​The MK Party re-emphasized its unyielding stance on transparency, accountability, and the absolute independence of South Africa's anti-corruption frameworks. The party insisted that no public official, regardless of their seniority or stature, should be shielded from aggressive institutional scrutiny.  

​"Public trust in the NPA and IDAC must be restored through decisive action, not silence," the party statement affirmed. The MK Party has urged the Portfolio Committee to act without any further delay to defend the rule of law and prevent the criminal infiltration of justice institutions.

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MEC MAMABOLO AND MAYOR MORERO STRATEGIZE ON JOHANNESBURG’S FINANCIAL RECOVERY AND SERVICE DELIVERY

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR 

MEC MAMABOLO AND MAYOR MORERO STRATEGIZE ON JOHANNESBURG’S FINANCIAL RECOVERY AND SERVICE DELIVERY

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JOHANNESBURG – The Gauteng Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Jacob Mamabolo, has held a high-level intervention meeting with Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Cllr Dada Morero, to address the metropolitan municipality's pressing financial and service delivery challenges.

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The strategic engagement, which included senior administrative teams from both the provincial department and the City of Johannesburg, was convened under Section 154(1) of the Constitution, which mandates provincial government to support and strengthen local municipalities.

​The intervention follows a recent, stringent decision by National Treasury to temporarily withhold the July 2026 equitable share transfers to 69 municipalities nationwide—including Johannesburg—in a bid to enforce stricter national fiscal discipline.

​The meeting concluded with a binding five-month implementation timeline for key priority areas under the City’s comprehensive Financial Recovery Plan.

​Settling Provincial Debt and Budget Stabilisation

​In a major boost to the city's liquidity, MEC Mamabolo committed to actively facilitating the settlement of all undisputed debt owed to the municipality by various Gauteng Provincial Government departments. As of 31 March 2026, the provincial government owed municipalities a collective R2.641 billion, with a staggering R1.431 billion owed directly to the City of Johannesburg.

​Despite the recent pressure from National Treasury, the City noted it has received formal correspondence confirming that its 2026/27 Annual Budget is officially fully funded. 

Furthermore, city leadership informed the MEC that payment arrangements with critical bulk utility suppliers, including Eskom and Rand Water, remain on track, with outstanding obligations set to be settled by mid-July 2026.

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Smart Technology and Infrastructure Partnerships

​To structurally curb operational losses, the provincial and local spheres of government agreed to roll out several innovative turnarounds:

​Water Management: The City and Province will explore a strategic partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to deploy an advanced technology water management solution at no cost to the metro. 

This initiative is aimed at identifying and plugging massive water distribution losses.

​Energy Efficiency: City Power will scale up the implementation of smart technologies to combat a critical R2.1 billion overspending on bulk electricity purchases, while accelerating renewable energy projects and tightening revenue protection.

​CBD Revitalisation: Joint operations will be intensified to revitalize investment within the Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD), specifically targeting economic nodes and the seat of the provincial government to stimulate inclusive urban growth.

​Cracking Down on Irregular Expenditure

​The administration presented its newly adopted strategy to drastically reduce Unauthorised, Irregular, Fruitless, and Wasteful Expenditure (UIFWE), in line with National Treasury Circulars 68 and 111.

​Progress has already been made in regularising approximately R1.8 billion in historical expenditure through established governance frameworks. A further R6.4 billion remains under active review by the boards of municipal entities, the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC), and the Disciplinary Board. 

To minimize future accounting risks, the City is working alongside the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) to produce rigorous interim financial statements.

​Imminent Rand Water Maintenance Contingencies

​Mayor Morero also utilized the session to brief MEC Mamabolo on major, planned Rand Water infrastructure maintenance scheduled to take place between 17 and 19 July 2026.

​The maintenance shutdown is expected to temporarily affect several Johannesburg Water reservoirs and towers. The MEC was reassured that extensive mitigation frameworks are locked in, including the strategic deployment of water tankers to affected areas, with absolute priority status given to hospitals, clinics, schools, and other vital public service facilities.

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HOME AFFAIRS ISSUES FINAL CALL FOR PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS ON BLOCKED ID STATUSES

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

HOME AFFAIRS ISSUES FINAL CALL FOR PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS ON BLOCKED ID STATUSES

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PRETORIA – The Department of Home Affairs has issued an urgent final call to individuals whose South African identity numbers were blocked prior to November 2022, reminding them that Friday, 10 July 2026, marked the absolute final day to submit written representations explaining why their identities should be unblocked.

​The widespread call for representations forms part of the department's legal commitment to ensuring strict procedural fairness in accordance with the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA), while simultaneously protecting the security and integrity of the National Population Register.

​Department officials warned that individuals who failed to submit their representations by the close of business risk having their blocked identity numbers permanently cancelled once the final administrative and legal processes are concluded.

​In-Person Submission Requirements

​To ensure the validity of the process, Home Affairs mandated that all representations had to be made in person. The department outlined specific compliance guidelines for the submissions:

​Permitted Venues: Submissions could be made at any official Home Affairs front office nationwide.

​Exclusions: Standard refugee reception centres and designated bank branches were strictly excluded from processing these specific applications.

​Documentation: Affected individuals were required to bring all available supporting documentation to verify their identity, South African citizenship, or legal residency status.

​Addressing Historical Duplicates and Flags

​A significant portion of the blocked identity numbers were originally flagged in terms of Section 19 of the Identification Act of 1997. 

These cases primarily involve duplicate identity numbers, suspected fraudulent acquisitions, and files requiring deep verification of a person's legal status or initial registration.

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Despite the remaining cases, the department revealed it has made substantial progress in clearing the historical backlog. To date, Home Affairs has successfully investigated, resolved, and unblocked 2,202,368 identity numbers, restoring valid citizenship status to millions of residents.

​The department has urged any remaining affected individuals who missed the window or require further clarity on their status to visit the official Department of Home Affairs website for continuous updates on the administrative finalisation of the blocked ID project.

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