ANC STATEMENT ON THE TABLING OF THE REVISED 2025 BUDGET @KASIBC_NEWS

ANC STATEMENT ON THE TABLING OF THE REVISED 2025 BUDGET  @KASIBC_NEWS 

South Africans are awaiting in anticipation as the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana tables the revised 2025 Budget, the Appropriation Bill and the Division of Revenue Act. This follows a broad process of consultation to deliver a budget that is transformative and developmental, one that drives the imperatives of development, protects the poor, boosts investor confidence, creates jobs and stimulates the economy. 

The ANC continues to provide leadership in moments of uncertainty. Working together with political parties, civil society, labour and business on a common vision of prosperity and development, in fostering national consensus and social compact, a peoples’ budget is a recipe that unites the country behind the common vision and agenda of development through a fiscal framework that elevates the poor to the apex of transformation. 

The ANC applauds those who have contributed to this milestone across the ideological divide. The interests of the country came first, transcending narrow political interests, grandstanding and cheap politicking.  

The developmental nature of this budget should prioritise the workers, the poor and the working class. It should cushion the vulnerable sectors of society from the economic hardships, the unaffordable high cost of living, invest in people, pursue a developmental macroeconomic framework and put South Africa to work through our jobs plan, improve education, skills and ensure health care for all.  

To achieve these, the budget spending should prioritise the following areas: 

● Learning and culture; early childhood development 

● Health  ● Housing ● Public Transport 

● Infrastructure ● Debt service ● SARS 

Buoyed by the recent S&P credit rating, South Africa is on a positive recovery and growth path, that is economically and politically stable. This boosts investor confidence and growth in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  Investment in the South African Revenue Services (SARS) will stabilise the fiscus, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of SARS for sustainable revenue collection. 

The ANC advocates for alternative revenue streams to supplement existing revenue streams, but most importantly to safeguard the poor from economic hardships and o narrow the budget deficit and to give effect to the priorities outlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the State of the Nation Address (SONA) The budget should prioritise food security, including VAT exemption on essential items. This exemption should be expanded on basic necessities. 

Investing in healthcare and strengthening health services is a catalyst towards universal access to health, inclusivity and equality through the National Health Insurance Act (NHI) and infrastructure as a job creation and economic development are key drivers. Education and early childhood development are a priority for accessible quality education to open the doors of learning, as we endeavour to invest in the future of our children. 

In the labour market, the ANC is committed to ensuring diversity and equity, securing decent living wages that are aligned with inflation. Currently, South Africans face economic hardship due to a pay regime that is not aligned with the rising cost of living. 

This must change. This is the transformation that the ANC advocates for. We remain steadfast and unwavering in our support for the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), which affirms that “All shall share in the country’s wealth.” Transformation is essential and non-negotiable. As the frontline of service delivery, local government’s close proximity to communities makes it essential for improving quality of life. 

Investment in local government will enhance basic services, upgrade roads and water infrastructure and strengthen the capacity of local authorities to effectively fulfill their service delivery mandates. It is through organizational development and a review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government are crucial steps toward achieving improved basic services. As the Minister tables this budget, there is a need for comprehensive reviews to assess the quality and impact of our spending. 

The government cannot continue to invest without regard to efficiency when the country’s needs are urgent and critical. Based on our engagements, consultations and vision for our country, the budget must reflect the aspirations of the people, improve their quality of life and promote development for a better future for all. 

We trust that Parliament will come together and act in the best interests of the people, rather than engaging in political grandstanding, populism, misinformation or petty point-scoring that undermine development and transformation. 

The ANC remains committed to working tirelessly to mobilize society and all social partners to ensure the successful passing of this budget. 

SIU ( SPECIAL INVESTIGATING UNIT ) CORRUPTION NLC ( NATIONAL LOTTERIES COMMISSION ) @KASIBC_NEWS

SIU ( SPECIAL INVESTIGATING UNIT )  CORRUPTION NLC ( NATIONAL LOTTERIES COMMISSION ) @KASIBC_NEWS 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) welcomes the damning and long-overdue findings of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) into the grand-scale corruption that has ravaged the National Lotteries Commission (NLC). 

We commend the work of the SIU in exposing the rot that has characterised the operations of the NLC, and we reaffirm our commitment to holding accountable all criminals who have looted public resources under the guise of serving the people. 

The SIU’s investigation, carried out under Proclamation No. R.32 of 2020, has laid bare the depth of collusion, maladministration, and flagrant theft by senior officials and board members of the NLC most notably Philemon Letwaba, the former Chief Operating Officer, who was at the centre of corrupt grant allocations to entities linked to his family Professor Alfred Nevhutanda, a former Chairperson of the NLC Board, under whose leadership corruption flourished and who personally benefited from misappropriated funds and Advocate William Huma, a former Board Member, who is alleged to have used his legal expertise to enable and shield corrupt activities from scrutiny. 

These individuals, masquerading as leaders, orchestrated a criminal enterprise using front companies, fake non-profits, and family-linked entities to siphon billions from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund money that was meant to uplift the poor and fund community development. The EFF is not surprised by these revelations. 

We have consistently warned the country about the ANC’s systematic project to hollow out public institutions for selfenrichment. 

The corruption at the NLC is not an isolated incident but part of a broader state capture project spearheaded by ANC cadres who view public funds as personal bank accounts. 

According to the SIU, the value of corrupt contracts under investigation totals a staggering R2 billion. Luxury properties, international travel, and lavish lifestyles were funded with money meant for orphanages, community sports facilities, and arts projects. This is a moral and criminal betrayal of the most vulnerable in our society. Even more concerning is the enabling role played by so-called professional service providers, accounting firms, auditors, and lawyers who submitted fraudulent documentation and rubber-stamped theft under the cover of legal and financial legitimacy. 

These firms, many of which continue to operate in other spheres of government through outsourced mandates, must be blacklisted and criminally prosecuted. We note with interest the move by SCOPA to request further investigation into the political links between NLC board members and ANC politicians. 

The EFF demands that the SIU follow the money trail without fear or favour, and that any evidence pointing to political beneficiaries whether sitting ministers, ANC deployees, or their families be made public and handed to the National Prosecuting Authority. 

The EFF will not rest until: 

a) Every implicated official, board member, and enabler is arrested, charged, and imprisoned. 

b) All properties and assets bought with stolen lottery funds are seized and returned to the state. 

c) Audit and legal firms found to have colluded in this scheme are deregistered and permanently banned from public contracts. 

d) Political actors involved in the capture of the NLC are named and shamed and held accountable. 

We further warn the ANC against any attempt to re-capture or interfere with the future restructuring of the NLC. This comes as there are mounting reports that Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau is set to award the operating license for the National Lottery to Gold Rush Consortium, a company with ties to the ANC through owners Sandile Zungu and Moses Tembe. 

The awarding of this contract worth R180 billion to ANC-benefactors would be unlawful according to the National Lotteries Act and would amount to a further use of the National Lottery to benefit the lifestyles of ANC politicians. 

The Commission must be rebuilt under strict parliamentary oversight, with no room for ANC-linked looters or their proxies. 

The people of South Africa deserve leaders who serve, not steal. 

CONSTRUCTION R82 ( OLD VEREENIGING ROAD @KASIBC_NEWS

CONSTRUCTION R82 ( OLD VEREENIGING ROAD @KASIBC_NEWS

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is currently fasttracking the resumption of roadworks in the construction project of R82 (Old Vereeniging Road) between De Deur and Walkerville in the Sedibeng District Municipality. 

The contractor was handed over back the site on 12 May 2025. The project is estimated reach completion in October 2026. This follows the Department’s decision to terminate services of previous consulting engineers due to poor performance.  A contractor, Maphutha Business Enterprise (MBE), has been appointed to carry out the construction of this major arterial road. 

The contractor is currently on site to resume at the De Deur Post Office until Walkerville Manor, approximately fourteen (14) kilometres. Amongst the objectives of the upgrade include improving access and increase road capacity from the current single to a dual carriageway. Other installations include streetlights at various intersections to improve safety, traffic signalling to facilitate mobility as well as cycleways and sidewalks. 

MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has issued a stern warning to service providers, that the department will no longer tolerate any form of abuse and will go to great lengths to defend, recover, and protect public resources. “In the past two years, the Department has placed focus on strengthening its built environment and project management capabilities thereby turning a tide against poor performance. 

It is further working to fast-track and complete all delayed road and transport infrastructure projects,” the MEC explained. 

The R82 is a strategic route connecting Johannesburg to the industrial hubs of Meyerton, Vereeniging and Vanderbijlpark in the Sedibeng District Municipality. It also a major arterial route critical for the economic well-being and growth of the region. 

Through several engagements, the contractor was introduced to the local and business community to provide details on this project continuation as well as the K164 project. 

These also served to communicate project readiness with designs concluded and reviewed by the Department’s Design Review Committee. Engagement sessions were held with local communities, particularly those from affected wards - 5, 8, and 1 at the De Deur Primary School in Midvaal. “This ensures Department’s projects include community development programmes and initiatives to support skills transfer and economic benefit to small and emerging contractors,” said the MEC. 

Road infrastructure projects support the Department’s strategic objectives of contributing to the Province’s Growing Gauteng Together (GGT2030) through Smart Mobility. 

MISSING PRISONERS AT POLLSMOOR PRISON @KASIBC_NEWS

MISSING PRISONERS AT POLLSMOOR PRISON @KASIBC_NEWS 

The DA has written to the Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu to confirm whether his Department has been informed of the possible disappearance of Me-Kayle Timmie and Mikyle Mentoor - two convicted offenders who, according to a High Court order, should be detained at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre until at least October 2025.

It has now been almost a week since a DA oversight visit to Pollsmoor revealed that officials could not account for either individual. Despite this, no confirmation has been issued by the Minister of Correctional Services, nor has any response been received to the DA’s formal letter sent to him on 14 May.

The Minister’s silence is troubling, particularly in light of the fact that Xolani Du Preez, a third offender who was subject to the same court order, was only re-admitted to Pollsmoor on 22 April after allegedly committing a robbery in Table View.

That incident – and Du Preez’s return to Pollsmoor - should have triggered immediate concern within the Department and prompted a review of the whereabouts of all three individuals.

The fact that this was ignored and not brought to the attention of the Minister points to a serious breakdown in communication between Correctional Services senior management and the Ministry. It is deeply concerning that the Department has failed to acknowledge or act upon such a critical lapse in inmate tracking and compliance with court orders.

If Timmie and Mentoor have indeed been released, Minister Groenewald should have confirmed this by now and explained what steps are being taken to ensure the safety of victims and the South African public.

The DA will continue to push for full transparency and accountability. A correctional system that cannot reliably confirm the presence or absence of sentenced prisoners is a system in crisis.

ARBITRARY CANCELLATION OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE MEETING @KASIBC_NEWS

ARBITRARY CANCELLATION OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE MEETING @KASIBC_NEWS 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) strongly condemns the arbitrary cancellation of a critical Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans meeting, scheduled for 21 May 2025 at the Armscor Dockyard in Simon’s Town. This meeting was set to address the alarming dysfunctionality of the South African Navy, including the inoperability of numerous naval vessels and significant operational challenges at the Armscor Dockyard. 

The unilateral decision by the Committee Chairperson, Honourable Legoetle, to cancel this meeting without consultation undermines parliamentary oversight and raises serious questions about efforts to shield the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms. Angie Motshekga, from scrutiny. The Chairperson’s justification for the cancellation—a supposed scheduling conflict with the budget presentation on the same day—lacks credibility, as the meeting was planned for the morning, with no overlap. 

The EFF rejects the Chairperson’s invocation of Rule 158(2)(b) of the National Assembly Rules to justify this decision. While the rule permits rescheduling, it does not grant carte blanche to undermine the Committee’s critical oversight role. This action is clearly not in the interest of the Committee’s functioning and appears designed to obstruct accountability. 

Equally concerning is the persistent absence of Minister Motshekga from oversight meetings, including the deferred Joint Standing Committee on Defence meeting on 16 May 2025 and the now-cancelled Portfolio Committee meeting. Her reported international travel during this period suggests a deliberate pattern of evading accountability for the ongoing dysfunction within the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the Department of Defence (DOD). 

The Chairperson’s actions, as a member of the African National Congress (ANC), further fuel suspicions of an orchestrated effort to protect a senior ANC member from scrutiny. 

The EFF demands immediate clarity on the following: 

1. The true reasons behind the arbitrary cancellation of the Portfolio Committee meeting. 

2. The Minister’s repeated failure to attend Portfolio Committee and Joint Standing Committee meetings. 

3. The lack of accountability for the Chairperson’s unilateral decisions and the Minister’s conduct. 

We further call on the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chair of Chairs to investigate these irregularities, including the arbitrary changes to the Committee’s programme and the Minister’s apparent avoidance of oversight processes. 

These actions erode public confidence in the Department of Defence and undermine the constitutional mandate of parliamentary oversight. 

The EFF will not stand idly by while the SANDF and DOD deteriorate under ineffective leadership and evasive governance. 

We demand transparency, accountability, and urgent action to address the crisis within our defence forces.