VAT EN SIT 1% @KASIBCNEWS

VAT EN SIT 1% @KASIBCNEWS 

This morning, a negotiating team appointed by the Federal Executive of the Democratic Alliance (DA) met a delegation from the African National Congress (ANC) in Johannesburg. The discussion follows in the wake of the recent dispute over the Fiscal Framework, which contains a 1% VAT increase over two years.

The engagement took place in a constructive atmosphere, with both sides speaking respectfully yet frankly about the need to resolve the impasse over the budget and to enhance cooperation between the two parties in the context of the Government of National Unity (GNU). 

The DA reiterated our position that a VAT increase is unaffordable in the absence of meaningful reform that will increase economic growth and create jobs.

The DA is committed to finding solutions in the best interests of the people of South Africa, both in relation to the budget and to strengthen the GNU.

GNU COLLAPSED @KASIBCNEWS

Today, the African National Congress (ANC) negotiating team led by Secretary General, Comrade Fikile Mbalula, held a constructive engagement with the leadership of the Democratic Alliance (DA) as part of ongoing efforts to break the current budget impasse and the reconfiguration of the Government of National Unity (GNU).  

The meeting forms part of the ANC’s unwavering commitment to the principles of dialogue, nation-building, and collective leadership in addressing the urgent socio-economic needs of our people. At the centre of these engagements is the future of our country – South Africa – and the responsibility we all carry to ensure it remains united, stable, and focused on development. 

The ANC reaffirms its position as the leader of society, guided by the historic mandate it has received to transform South Africa into a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous nation for all who live in it. In all negotiations, the ANC remains rooted in its values and resolutions, and will not compromise on the fundamental goals of social and economic justice, equity, and transformation. 

The ANC entered the GNU process with clear intentions: to build a broad-based consensus on rebuilding the country, accelerating service delivery, creating jobs, and tackling inequality. These goals are not negotiable.  South Africa must come first. As leaders, we owe it to the people of this country—black and white, young and old— to rise above narrow political interests and work together in the spirit of unity and shared progress.  

The ANC will continue to engage all GNU partners, civil society, and other stakeholders in pursuit of a stable, inclusive, and effective government that places the interests of South Africans at the heart of all its decisions. 

ISREAL TREASONOUS VISIT @KASIBCNEWS 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemns the disgraceful and treasonous visit by Members of Parliament from the Democratic Alliance (DA), Patriotic Alliance (PA), African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) to the genocidal, apartheid state of Israel. 

This so-called “fact-finding mission” is nothing less than a betrayal of the South African people, the Palestinian people, and all oppressed peoples of the world. It is a shameful attempt to legitimise a regime that is currently engaged in one of the most brutal and well-documented genocides of the 21st century — the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza. 

That these MPs chose to meet with the Israeli President, Isaac Herzog, a key political figure presiding over this mass slaughter, is a disgusting stain on South Africa’s democracy. 

Let us make it clear that this visit was not innocent nor was it private. These individuals travelled to a state our democratic Parliament, through a motion brought by the EFF, has condemned and agreed to sever ties with. 

They travelled with diplomatic passports, as representatives of South Africa, to a country that our own government has taken to the International Court of Justice for genocide. 

This is not only morally reprehensible, but it is a potential compromise of our national security as we have  already become a target of Isreal’s white supremacist ally, the United States of America under Donald Trump. 

The visit was deliberately kept secret, hidden from the public and from Parliament. According to reports, DA MP’s Glynnis Breytenbach who is a member of the Portfolio Committee on Justice, Nicholas Myburgh who is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence and Emma Louise Powell who is a member of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations were also part of this delegation. 

That individuals occupying such sensitive positions within our state machinery could engage in secret diplomacy with a genocidal regime, without government authorisation or public accountability, is not only unethical but it also borders on espionage. 

The DA, PA and ACDP have shown once again that they are agents of white imperialism and global Zionist aggression. They do not speak for the people of South Africa, nor do they represent the values of justice, peace, and solidarity that our antiapartheid struggle stood for. They stand with murderers, with occupiers, with colonisers, and they do so in our name. This visit must be investigated. Parliament must demand full transparency. 

Who funded this trip? What was discussed? What intelligence, if any, was shared? And what consequences will follow for these MPs who have undermined the sovereignty of our state and the moral standing of our democracy? 

The EFF demands that all Members of Parliament involved in this visit be summoned to appear before the Speaker and the Joint Standing Committee on Ethics; their diplomatic privileges be suspended pending investigation; the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) issue a formal statement disassociating the Republic of South Africa from this rogue delegation; and Parliament reaffirm its commitment to the complete isolation of the apartheid Israeli regime by following through in removing the Israeli embassy from our country and cutting all ties. 

The EFF will never stand with genocide, will never stand with apartheid, and will never be silent when our country's name is dragged into complicity with war crimes. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. 

TAXI VIOLENCE GAUTENG @KASIBCNEWS

The Taxi Industry in Gauteng acknowledges with deep concern the ongoing issues of corruption, violence, and killings that have plagued our sector. The leadership would like to express our deep concern regarding the recent surge in violence and killings that have plagued our communities and our industry in its entirety. We recognize that these challenges have not only affected taxi operators but have also had a devastating impact on the communities we serve and the safety of our passengers. 

We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who have fallen victim to these tragic events. We understand that incidents of violence and criminal activity within our industry have led to a tarnished reputation, and we are committed to addressing these issues head-on. It is our duty to ensure that our operations are conducted with integrity and respect for all individuals, and we must work collectively to eradicate any form of corruption that undermines our service. 

The ongoing violence not only threatens the safety of our drivers and passengers but also undermines the hard work and dedication of countless individuals who rely on the taxi industry for their livelihoods. We acknowledge that this issue has persisted for far too long, and it is imperative that we take collective action to address the root causes of these conflicts. 

We call upon all stakeholders, including government authorities, law enforcement agencies, and community leaders, to work together to foster an environment of peace and security. It is essential that we engage in open dialogues and collaborative efforts to resolve disputes and prevent further loss of life. 

The taxi industry is committed to promoting safe and reliable transportation services for our communities. We urge our members to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.

We also encourage our community members to support one another during these trying times and to stand against violence in all its forms. 

Let us work together to build a brighter, more peaceful future for Gauteng. To this end, the joint meeting amongst others agreed on the following: 

Transparency and Accountability: We urge all stakeholders, including government authorities, to implement stricter regulations and oversight to ensure that all taxi operations are conducted fairly and transparently. 

Community Engagement: We believe that engaging with our communities is essential in rebuilding trust. We are committed to working with local leaders and residents to foster a safer environment for everyone. 

Conflict Resolution Mechanisms: It is crucial to establish effective dispute resolution mechanisms that can address grievances within the industry without resorting to violence. We advocate for dialogue and mediation as the first steps to resolving conflicts. 

A Ceasefire has been agreed upon, and both provincial structures will engage all affected associations in the province and report back to the 20-aside meeting with the MEC on the 29 April 2025. 

The MEC and the provincial leadership of the Taxi Industry will convene a meeting on Tuesday, 15 April 2025 to attend to the FARADAY and ZONKESIZWE conflict. 

A Conflict Committee will be established, convening only in the presence of the MEC.

The committee will consist of:- 

5 representatives from Santaco Gauteng

5 representatives from regions under Santaco- 

5 representatives from regions under GNTA 

5 representatives from GNTA (province)  

This totals 20 members who will meet with the MEC. 

Decisions made by this committee will be binding, and law enforcement will be involved as necessary. 

There will also be permission to intervene in other areas. 

All parties are pledging their commitment and support to this agreement. 

Support for Law Enforcement: We call on law enforcement agencies to enhance their efforts in combating crime within the taxi industry. 

We pledge our cooperation in any initiative aimed at ensuring the safety of our drivers and passengers.

Education and Training: We will invest in training programs for taxi operators and drivers to promote ethical practices, conflict resolution, and customer service, reinforcing the values of professionalism and respect. 

The Taxi Industry in Gauteng is committed to being part of the solution. We understand that change will not happen overnight, but we are determined to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to create a safer, more reliable, and more respected taxi service for our communities. 

Together, we can address these pressing issues and pave the way for a brighter future for the taxi industry in Gauteng. 

The MEC made it clear that the meeting was part of her consultative process with affected and interested stakeholders regarding her intention to implement section 91 on extraordinary measures in areas besieged by fatal violence. 

Issued as read, agreed, and signed on behalf of all attendees by the Gauteng Taxi Initiative Secretariat constituted by the Secretary General of Gauteng NTA, the Secretary General of SANATCO Gauteng, and the Chairperson of Gauteng Provincial Regulatory Entity (GPRE).

DONALD TRUMP BAD THINGS @KASIBCNEWS

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has taken note of a social media post by the President of the United States of America (USA) Donald Trump, wherein he indicates his reservations regarding attending the G20 summit in South Africa. In his usual delusional manner, Trump cites land confiscations and genocide in South Africa as his reason and attaches to his ridiculous claim a video of the Commander in Chief and President of the EFF Julius Malema debating the land question in the Parliament of South Africa. 

In a clear indication of a man who has lost all sense and touch with reality, Donald Trump has decided to return to his disinformation campaign against South Africa, to distract the public from the mess he has created globally with his uneducated reciprocal tariff system. In a post on his Truth Social platform, 

Trump wrote that “How could we be expected to go to South Africa for the very important G20 Meeting when Land Confiscation and Genocide is the primary topic of conversation? They are taking the land of white Farmers and then killing them and their families. The Media refuses to report on this. The United States has held back all contributions to South Africa. Is this where we want to be for the G20? I don’t think so!”  

The EFF takes serious exception to Donald Trump’s connection of his false claims of land confiscations and a genocide against white South African families with the President of the EFF, especially since we know that Donald Trump governs through social media. 

As the EFF, we would like to tell the “tariff wielding barbarian” that he would be lucky to still be President of the USA by the time the G20 Summit occurs in South Africa, following his recklessness and economic illiteracy which has plunged the US-economy into a recession and launched them into a trade war with China and Europe. 

The G20 summit in South Africa should be the least of Donald Trump’s concerns, and he should focus on the allegations against him of manipulating the US stock market by imposing tariffs on numerous countries across the world and then giving trading advice to his billionaire friends before pausing the tariffs for 90-days. 

Trump essentially used the US economy as a means to practice insider trading and defraud the American people of billions in their life savings and pensions. He himself has committed an economic genocide on the ordinary American people and the US economy. 

As the EFF we condemn Donald Trump for the havoc he has caused to the global economy and view his utterances against South Africa as part of a premeditated strategy to impose sanctions on our country and our political leadership. It is the strategy of imperialism to frame a nation it intends to invade and disrupt politically and economically as a nation that is violating human rights, before making an intervention that disrupts that nations’ prosperity for decades to come. 

We have seen this strategy in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Cuba, Venezuela and many other nations. Today, because South Africa and the President of the EFF has correctly condemned the USA’s role in funding the genocide of Palestinian people by Apartheid Israel, Trump has turned his attention to South Africa. It is no coincidence that he uses the images of the President of the EFF to make his claims, because the President of the EFF is at the forefront of demanding the return of the land to the African majority and he has pursued this using constitutional means. 

The EFF advises Donald Trump not to use South Africa as a reason to avoid facing his global peers at the G20 Summit in South Africa, since he has embarrassed himself and the United States of America with his poor grasp of the tariff system. 

His non-attendance would be an opportunity for the leading nations of the world to consolidate an economic recovery plan that does not rely on the US-dollar and is welcomed, but it is clear that he fears facing his counterparts following his humiliating tariff stunt. 

PRINT AND DIGITAL MEDIA TRANSFORMATION @KASIBCNEWS 

The Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Kenny Morolong, held a strategic engagement today with the Print and Digital Media Transformation and Revitalization Committee to discuss policy and legislative support needed to accelerate transformation and revitalisation in the media sector. 

The meeting forms part of ongoing efforts by government to promote inclusive participation and equitable representation in the South African media landscape. Deputy Minister Morolong commended the Committee for its continued advocacy and monitoring of transformation within print and digital platforms, noting the importance of media as both a mirror and a shaper of society.

“We must commit to meaningful transformation and long term sustainability in the media industry to ensure that the voices of all South Africans are reflected in the stories that are told, and that the ownership, control and content of our media truly reflect the diversity of our country,” said Deputy Minister Morolong.

Discussions during the meeting focused on:

• Equity in advertising spend across traditional and digital platforms;

• Policy and legislative support needed to accelerate transformation and revitalisation ;

• The importance of ethical journalism and media accountability;

• Enhancing the role of public interest media in nation-building.

The Deputy Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to working closely with industry players  to ensure  long term commercial , community and digital media sustainability. 

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to ongoing dialogue and practical interventions that will unlock opportunities, promote media diversity and strengthen democratic discourse in South Africa. 

He further urged the sector to provide practical interventions to promote media diversity and transformed operational models that consider the entire value chain which is inclusive of the newsroom resourcing, publishing, news sources, printing, distribution and advertising.