EFF AND ANC BUDGET MEETING 2025 @KASIBCNEWS

A delegation of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) led by the President and Commander in Chief Julius Malema met with the leadership team of the African National Congress (ANC) led by its Secretary General Fikile Mbalula this afternoon, 11 April 2025 at the Southern Sun Hotel, Sandton. 

The ANC delegation consisted of; a) Fikile Mbalula: ANC Secretary General and Chair of the ANC Delegation to the Meeting b) Gwede Mantashe: ANC National Chairperson c) Gwen Ramokgopa: ANC Treasurer General d) Nomvula Mokonyane: ANC 1st Deputy Secretary General e) Maropene Ramokgopa: ANC 2nd Deputy Secretary General f) David Makhura: ANC NEC Member and Head of Political Education g) Zuko Godlimpi: ANC NEC Member and Chair of Economic Transformation Committee h) Parks Tau: ANC NEC Member i) Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri: ANC NEC member and National Spokesperson j) Comrade Andries Nel: ANC Legal Adviser 

The EFF delegation consisted of; a) Commander in Chief and President of the EFF, Julius Malema b) Secretary General of the EFF, Marshall Dlamini c) Deputy Secretary General of the EFF, Leigh-Ann Mathys d) Treasurer General of the EFF, Omphile Maotwe e) National Spokespersons of the EFF, Sinawo Thambo and Thembi Msane f) EFF Head of Presidency, Vuyani Pambo g) EFF Senior Researcher, Dr Gumani Tshimomola  

The meeting follows months of uncertainty around the National Budget for 2025, and particularly the recent passing of the Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals for 2025 in the National Assembly on the 03rd of April 2025. 

The EFF reaffirmed its principled rejection of a 0.5 percentage point increase in Value Added Taxes (VAT) for the year 2025 as a mechanism to generate revenue. Our rejection of VAT Hikes was exhibited by our vote against the adoption of the Standing Committee on Finance’s Report in the National Assembly, which was a product of a flawed and irregular process that is now subject to judicial review. 

The discussion reflected on the importance of resolving the budget impasse while ensuring that the poorest of the poor are safeguarded through sound economic planning. Furthermore, the meeting reflected on the upcoming budgeting processes regarding the Division of Revenue Bill and Appropriations Bill. 

The EFF wants to make it categorically clear that we are under no illusion that there is any legislative possibility of reversing the VAT increases which were supported in the Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposal by various political parties in the Standing Committee on Finance and subsequently in the National Assembly. Our engagements with the ANC must therefore not be mistaken as participation in a fruitless exercise to seek alternatives to the VAT increases within 30-days under the false hope that such alternatives will be implemented before the 01st of May 2025. This is simply not practical, realistic or legislatively permissible. 

All political parties which voted in support of the Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposal which included the VAT increases must take responsibility for their actions and desist from giving the people of South Africa false hope that non-binding recommendations can reverse what they supported. 

The EFF correctly made its proposed amendments which were permissible under the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Other Related Matters Act during the Standing Committee on Finance Meeting on the 02nd of April 2025 and additionally submitted these proposals which were not captured in the Committee Report to the Minister of Finance. Additionally, we have since circulated a comprehensive document containing our sensible alternative revenue generation mechanisms to the public. 

The EFF engagements with the ANC are part and parcel of the road towards the upcoming budget process, and form part of the ANC’s outreach to other political parties in its claimed efforts to reset and/or reconfigure the Government of National Unity (GNU). 

This was the first round of these engagements and the EFF will provide updates to the nation as is necessary on progress regarding these negotiations. Our position with regards to participation in the GNU and support for any legislation that is a product of a GNU government constituted by the DA and Freedom Front Plus remains clear and consistent. 

The EFF will not support any financial piece of legislation that will be presided over by racists who reject such legislation, yet want to continue operating in Cabinet using budgets they did not support. 

Furthermore, the EFF will only participate in the GNU on the condition that it does not include the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus (FF+) who are at the centre of the chaos and confusion occurring in government today. 

CLOSURE OF KHUTSONG WEST CLINIC @KASIBCNEWS

 The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) wishes to inform Khutsong community of the indefinite closure of Khutsong West Clinic with effect from 01 May 2025. This decision follows ongoing geotechnical challenges caused by active sinkhole activity in the Khutsong West area which poses serious safety risks for both healthcare users and staff members. 

The safety and wellbeing of the community and employees remain the department’s high priority. Patients who previously accessed services at Khutsong West Clinic are advised to visit any of the following nearby facilities for uninterrupted primary healthcare services which are mainly within 6km radius from Khutsong West Clinic: • Khutsong Community Health Centre • Khutsong South clinic • Khutsong Extension 3 clinic • Khutsong East clinic • Welverdiend clinic To ensure seamless continuity of care, patients are kindly requested to bring valid identification documents (ID, passport, or driver’s licence) and inform staff at the alternative clinic that they are former patients of Khutsong West Clinic. 

This will enable linking them with their medical records for ongoing treatment and follow-up. In addition, the Ward-Based Primary Health Care Outreach Teams will continue to operate and provide services in the Khutsong West area to reach those who may have difficulties accessing alternative facilities. 

The current staff at Khutsong West Clinic will be re assigned to the nearby health facilities.

 

JOBURG HOST IDP @KASIBCNEWS

JOBURG HOST IDP @KASIBCNEWS

The City of Johannesburg held an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) session at Marlboro Community Hall in Region E on Thursday, 10 April 2025. This vital community engagement platform enabled residents to interact directly with city leadership, voice concerns, and help shape Johannesburg’s development priorities.

The session, chaired by Council Speaker Cllr Nobuhle Mthembu, was attended by members of the mayoral committee, the chief whip of council, local councillors, and senior officials. Executive Mayor Cllr Dada Morero led the proceedings, outlining the city’s roadmap for service delivery and key interventions to improve quality of life across Region E.

“We are committed to building trust through transparency, getting the basics right, and placing people at the heart of development,” said Mayor Morero. “This includes long-term planning for bulk infrastructure, addressing the illegal erection of structures, and tackling air pollution.”

The mayor highlighted several priorities, including cemetery maintenance, repairing burst water pipes, crime prevention, by-law enforcement, road resurfacing, dealing with illegal electricity connections, and promoting economic opportunities through skills development.

Residents used the platform to express concerns about persistent service delivery issues, including potholes, rising crime, noise pollution, inadequate by-law enforcement, and incomplete Rea Vaya bus stations—particularly along Louis Botha Avenue, which some say contribute to criminal activity. Residents of Ward 75 in Alexandra also raised the long-standing issue of the permanently closed Rotary Sports Field. Once a vibrant community space, it was repurposed into a temporary container housing project that remains unoccupied—leaving local children without a vital recreational facility.

In response, city officials shared ongoing interventions such as the installation of solar-powered high-mast lights in Alexandra to enhance safety during power outages and ease pressure on the electricity grid. The Johannesburg Roads Agency is also upgrading traffic infrastructure, installing new traffic signals and replacing outdated cables and controllers.

The 2025/2026 IDP is built on principles of equity, inclusivity, and responsiveness. The city’s budget continues to prioritise historically underserved communities, with a strong commitment that no area or resident is left behind. “This is a people-driven plan, informed by community voices and underpinned by strong partnerships and shared responsibility,” affirmed Mayor Morero.

As Johannesburg advances its development agenda, the IDP sessions remain a cornerstone of participatory governance—fostering accountability, empowering communities, and laying the foundation for a more inclusive and equitable urban future.

1,650 NEW HEALTHCARE POSTS @KASIBCNEWS

The African National Congress (ANC) welcomes the announcement by Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi approving 1,200 posts for doctors, 200 for nurses, and 250 for other healthcare professionals. This timely and much-needed intervention demonstrates government’s commitment to strengthening the public healthcare system and ensuring that quality care is accessible to all South Africans. It reflects a serious and proactive response to the challenges facing the sector.

The ANC has long recognised the urgent need to increase the number of healthcare professionals, particularly in under-resourced communities. While this measure may not fully meet the growing demand, it is a significant step forward. We are confident it will help ease pressure on healthcare facilities and enhance patient care. 

We reaffirm our commitment to a people-centred budget — one that prioritises service delivery and responds to the real needs of our citizens. This decision exemplifies how the budget can be used as a tool for transformation and the delivery of essential services. 

Investigation into Inflated Property Values @KASIBCNEWS

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mpumalanga has written to the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Speedy Mashilo, to raise serious concerns over disturbing allegations of fraudulent practices by municipalities relating to the levying of rates and taxes on government properties. 

This follows correspondence sent on 6 April 2025 to the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, as well as the Department of Public Works, Roads, and Transport, regarding their substantial outstanding debts to the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. 

It has come to light that certain municipalities in Mpumalanga are allegedly inflating the size and value of properties to intentionally overcharge rates and taxes. In contrast, there are also allegations that properties owned by certain government officials are reportedly being deliberately undervalued, resulting in reduced municipal charges for those individuals. These practices, if confirmed, constitute a gross abuse of public trust, a breach of financial integrity, and a violation of key legislative frameworks. 

The implications of these allegations are severe. They not only compromise the credibility of municipal budgets, but also point to an alarming trend of governance failures that contribute to the chronic service delivery challenges across Mpumalanga. Fraudulent valuations distort municipal revenue collection and create a false impression of financial stability, thereby undermining both accountability and sustainable development. 

If proven, these allegations would represent an unprecedented violation of public trust, an infringement of the principles of public good governance, and an infringement of several important laws, including the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), the Local Government: Municipal Property Rates Act (MPRA), the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), and the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act. 

Considering these serious concerns, the DA calls on the MEC to: 

Launch an urgent and comprehensive investigation into the alleged fraudulent practices in the municipalities. 

Investigate the alleged misconduct or irregularities. 

If these allegations prove to be true, ensure accountability through disciplinary or legal action against all those found responsible. 

Put in place robust preventative measures to ensure greater oversight and transparency in the calculation and levying of rates and taxes. 

The people of Mpumalanga deserve a government that is honest, fair, and committed to equitable service delivery. These allegations cannot be ignored. The DA will also escalate this matter to the Office of the Premier, the Auditor-General, and Provincial Treasury to ensure full transparency and accountability. 

We urge the MEC to treat this matter with the urgency and seriousness it demands, and we await regular updates on the progress of the investigation. 

GNU MEETINGS ABOUT MEETINGS @KASIBCNEWS

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the African National Congress (ANC) held a meeting, on Thursday 10 April 2025, in Johannesburg to discuss critical national matters, particularly the ongoing budget impasse within the Government of National Unity (GNU).

The IFP delegation was led by President Velenkosini Hlabisa and the ANC was led by its Secretary General Fikile Mbalula.

This engagement was necessitated by differences regarding the fiscal framework and the need to ensure a sustainable, inclusive, and responsible budget that prioritizes the needs of all South Africans.

Both parties reaffirmed their support for the revised budget presented by the National Treasury and subsequently processed by the National Assembly. We emphasize that the budget is fundamentally pro-poor, incorporating robust social safety nets to protect vulnerable families. This includes, among other measures, the expansion of zero-rated VAT items to ease the financial burden on low-income households.

The Parties affirm that the VAT increase is a temporary short-term intervention and agreed that the National Treasury must urgently explore alternative revenue-generation strategies to mitigate the impact of this marginal increase on consumers. Both parties further concurred that additional government borrowing is not a viable option given South Africa’s current economic constraints and debt levels.

The Parties reaffirmed unwavering commitment to the GNU, as both parties view the current arrangement as the most viable mechanism to ensure South Africa’s stability, growth, and long-term development under the current electoral framework.

The IFP is committed to strengthening cooperation and consensus-building within the GNU to effectively address national challenges.

Additionally, the Parties committed to a bipartisan approach and process to securing the future of Ithala Bank, recognizing its crucial role in financial inclusion and economic empowerment, particularly in historically disadvantaged communities.

The IFP also confirms that it will meet with the Democratic Alliance (DA) on Sunday, 13 April 2025, as part of its ongoing engagements to foster cooperation and consensus in the national interest.