AXED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT: Zuma Fires Chief Whip Mokoena-Zondi After R233K Hawks Corruption Arrest

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA 

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JOHANNESBURG — In a brutal political execution, uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) President Jacob Zuma has stripped Honorable Mmabatho Mokoena-Zondi of her membership and ousted her from her powerful parliamentary position following her high-profile arrest for corruption.

The decisive action was taken on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, following an emergency crisis meeting between President Zuma and the party’s Top National Officials to assess the political fallout of the criminal charges.

Complete Eviction from the Party Grid

Mokoena-Zondi’s political career has collapsed just days after she was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team. She stands accused of running a ruthless salary-skimming and extortion racket, allegedly forcing newly recruited parliamentary support staff to surrender up to 60% of their salaries under the false pretext of bankrolling "President Zuma’s legal fees."

The MK Party leadership issued a hardline directive, leaving no room for negotiation:

• Immediate Suspension: Her party membership has been frozen with immediate effect, pending the finalization of an accelerated internal disciplinary investigation.

• Asset Seizure: Mokoena-Zondi has been ordered to immediately surrender all official party documents, financial records, digital assets, and any MKP-related materials currently in her possession.

• New Chief Whip Named: In a rapid deployment to stabilize the parliamentary caucus, Comrade Philasande Mkhize has been officially appointed as the new Chief Whip of the MK Party in the National Assembly, effective immediately.

"The uMkhonto weSizwe Party remains clear that its public representatives must maintain an unblemished standard of revolutionary discipline and ethical integrity," the party's communications unit noted, demonstrating an aggressive push to distance Zuma's image from the extortion scandal.

The Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla Reality Check

In a fascinating and highly strategic addendum to the suspension notice, the MK Party’s National Officials took the opportunity to issue a public, preemptive clarification regarding the party's internal hierarchy—specifically addressing the role of President Zuma’s high-profile daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla.

Despite her loud presence on social media and her frequent role as the public shield for her father, the party drew a strict administrative line in the sand. The MK Party formally placed it on record that Zuma-Sambudla holds absolutely no official position, executive responsibility, or decision-making power within the party structures.

The mother body explicitly stated that her role is strictly confined to that of an ordinary card-carrying member, stripping away any public perception that she exercises backroom authority or acts as a proxy ruler within the radical political formation.

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Genocide Case Extended: ICJ Hands South Africa 18-Month Window to Flatten Israel’s Jurisdiction Objections

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA 

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PRETORIA — The Presidency has formally acknowledged a new procedural timetable issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), giving South Africa a clear, 18-month legal runway to respond to Israel's formal defense in the ongoing Gaza genocide trial.

The apex UN court's directive, finalized following a high-stakes meeting between state representatives and the ICJ President in The Hague, sets a strict deadline of 22 November 2027 for South Africa to file its comprehensive legal Reply.

Following South Africa's submission, Israel will be granted until 22 May 2029 to tender its formal counter-response, known in international law as a Rejoinder.

Shifting Legal Battlefield: The Jurisdictional Fight

The Presidency noted that entering a second round of written arguments is standard practice in complex international law, aligning perfectly with historical precedents set under the 1948 Genocide Convention.

However, the legal architecture of South Africa’s upcoming Reply has significantly shifted due to tactical maneuvers by Tel Aviv's legal team:

When Israel filed its official Counter-Memorial in March 2026, its legal counsel injected a formal objection to the ICJ’s jurisdiction over the matter. South African officials highlighted that under the strict Rules of Court, Israel was technically supposed to lodge such jurisdictional challenges "as soon as possible" or within three months of SA's initial filing—which would have been January 2025. Because Israel chose to bundle the objection into its 2026 merits defense instead, South African advocate teams are now tasked with thoroughly dismantling these late jurisdictional challenges inside the text of the November 2027 Reply.

'Self-Defence is Not a Defence to Genocide'

While written pleadings technically remain strictly confidential under UN rules until the court votes to unseal them, Israel’s legal team broke ranks during their March filing to issue a public declaration. Tel Aviv's counsel publicly asserted that their Counter-Memorial conclusively "proves its legitimate objectives in the war have always been to eliminate the military and governing capabilities of Hamas."

The Union Buildings issued a blunt, unyielding response to Israel's justification:

"Whether or not Israel’s war on Gaza is authorised by, or has complied with, the international law regarding self-defence, as claimed by Israel’s counsel, South Africa’s response is a simple one: self-defence is not a defence to genocide, there is none," the Presidency stated in a hardline brief.

Binding Emergency Orders Remain Active

The Presidency strongly reminded the international community that the multi-year timeline of the main trial does not suspend Israel's current, immediate obligations under international law.

Israel remains explicitly bound by three separate, binding Provisional Measures Orders previously won by South Africa’s legal team. The ICJ has already ruled that the fundamental human rights of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip remain under "real and imminent risk of irreparable prejudice."

The Three Operational Mandates Israel Must Obey:

• Zero Genocidal Acts: Immediate prevention of any military actions that cross into the legal threshold of genocidal conduct or mass population displacement.

• Unhindered Humanitarian Access: Total cooperation with the United Nations for the immediate, unconditional, and unhindered provision of basic services, food, medicine, and water infrastructure.

• Investigative Access: Granting "unimpeded entry" to all UN commissions of inquiry, independent fact-finding missions, and international human rights investigative bodies to inspect the Gaza Strip.

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MUTINY AGAINST THE PRESIDENT: ANC Veterans' League Turns on Its Own Leader Sisi Tolashe, Demands Fired Minister Exits Parliament Immediately

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA 

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BOKSBURG — In an unprecedented internal revolt, the African National Congress Veterans’ League (ANC VL) has publicly turned on its own President, Sisi Tolashe, welcoming severe party disciplinary action against her and directly demanding that she "step aside" from all political offices.

The extraordinary showdown took place during the VL's quarterly National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held from 29 to 30 May 2026 in Boksburg. The high-stakes meeting, which was closely monitored and addressed by ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, put the liberation movement’s widening ethical crisis on full display just months before the critical November local government elections.

The Fall of Sisi Tolashe

Tolashe, who serves simultaneously as the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) President and a Member of Parliament, was recently fired as Minister of Social Development by President Cyril Ramaphosa following a Public Service Commission probe into irregular department appointments and a scandal involving undeclared luxury SUVs allegedly gifted by Chinese officials.

Instead of shielding their leader, the elder statesmen of the ANC took a brutal, unyielding stance on accountability.

"The meeting welcomed the decision of the ANC NEC to take disciplinary action against five senior ANC members, including our own VL President, Sisi Tolashe, on the recommendations of the Integrity Committee," announced Snuki Zikalala, the Deputy President of the Veterans' League. "We still call on these individuals to step aside on their own volition."

Zikalala further demanded that the mother body tighten its Step-Aside Guidelines and finally execute outstanding enforcement actions remaining from the Zondo Commission on State Capture.

War Over Mayoral Seats: Centralised Control of 46 Towns

With the local government elections officially scheduled for 4 November 2026, the Veterans' League threw its full weight behind Luthuli House’s radical plan to strip local regions of their power to choose mayors.

To stop underqualified factional bosses from taking over critical councils, the ANC NEC has centralized the selection of mayoral candidates for 46 pivotal municipalities—including all eight metropolitan areas and 22 secondary economic cities.

The Veterans' League confirmed it has already submitted a clean list of preferred candidates with "unblemished reputations" directly to the Office of the Secretary-General (SGO) to ensure the party fields electable leaders.

Slamming 'Convenient' Xenophobia in the Working Class

Addressing the rising social instability in townships, the VL NEC expressed deep panic over escalating attacks against foreign nationals across South Africa.

The elders sharply rebuked contemporary politicians who weaponize anti-migrant rhetoric to cover up deep economic policy failures.

• Enforce the Law: The league demanded the state decisively crack down on illegal immigration and strictly implement labor laws.

• Stop Corporate Exploitation: They called out crooked businesses that intentionally hire undocumented workers to exploit cheap labor.

• Reject Scapegoating: The league warned political parties against "conveniently placing the blame for our economic challenges on migrants."

Housekeeping and Internal Growth

Despite the internal fireworks, the Veterans' League reported a stable organizational footprint. The body formally confirmed the outcome of its KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Conference, approved new leadership appointments in the Free State, and set up provincial and regional task teams to manage ongoing restructuring in the North West, Mangaung, and Nkangala.

The league's active, audited membership roll now stands at 4,689 veterans nationwide—all of whom have been commanded to hit the streets for door-to-door campaigning to save the party's electoral fortunes.

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Fuel Shock: Petrol Spikes by R1.43/L While Diesel Plummets by Up To R3.24/L in Extreme June Price Split

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA 

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PRETORIA — South African motorists face a dramatic and highly unusual split at the pumps this winter. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has announced a severe R1.43 per litre hike for both grades of petrol, contrasting sharply with a massive price crash for diesel of up to R3.25 per litre, effective from midnight on Wednesday, 3 June 2026.

The extreme price diverging means that while passenger vehicle owners will see their commuting costs surge, the logistics, farming, and manufacturing sectors will receive massive financial relief as diesel and paraffin costs plummet.

Global Geopolitics vs. Seasonal Demands

According to the Ministry, the wild divergence in fuel types is being driven by a combination of volatile international factors:

• The Petrol Spike: Average Brent Crude oil jumped from $101 to $104.59 per barrel under the period under review. This price pressure was fueled heavily by escalating geopolitical friction between the United States and Iran, alongside the high-stakes maritime closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

• The Diesel Crash: While crude oil went up, international refined product prices plummeted due to shifting seasonal dynamics. As the Northern Hemisphere enters its warm summer months, their seasonal demand for heating fuels has ground to a halt. This middle-distillate surplus triggered a massive international drop, slashing basic fuel costs for diesel and illuminating paraffin.

• The Currency Buffer: A strengthening South African Rand provided a minor cushion, appreciating slightly from 16.65 to 16.52 Rand per USD, shaving roughly 12 to 14 cents per litre off the basic cost across the board.

The Breakdown: June 2026 Fuel Adjustments

Fuel Type / Product	Official Price Adjustment (Effective 3 June)
Petrol 93 (ULP & LRP)	R1.43 per litre INCREASE
Petrol 95 (ULP & LRP)	R1.43 per litre INCREASE
Diesel (0.05% Sulphur)	R3.24 per litre DECREASE
Diesel (0.005% Sulphur)	R2.61 per litre DECREASE
Illuminating Paraffin (Wholesale)	R5.96 per litre DECREASE
LPGas (Maximum Retail Price)	R17.00 per kg DECREASE (R20.00/kg drop in WC)

"The drop in middle distillates brings vital relief to households relying on paraffin for winter heating," the Ministry noted, though warning that domestic regulatory interventions minimized what could have been an even bigger drop for diesel.

Government Slashes Fuel Levies, Billions in Debt

The primary reason petrol is spiking so drastically—and why the diesel drop wasn't even deeper—comes down to a massive intervention update from the National Treasury.

The Department confirmed that the temporary General Fuel Levy relief measures introduced by the Minister of Finance have been drastically scaled back. For the month of June, the state has reduced the levy relief by R1.50/L for petrol and R1.96/L for diesel, effectively baking that cost back into the retail price.

Furthermore, South Africa's state fuel cushion is running critically dry. The cumulative Slate Account—used to absorb international price shocks—recorded a massive negative balance of R18.28 billion at the end of April.

To prevent a total collapse of the self-adjusting mechanism, the government has been forced to hike the mandatory Slate Levy by 35.04 cents per litre (moving from 122.70c to 157.74c/L). This statutory levy addition will be slapped onto the retail price of both petrol and diesel starting Wednesday, clawing cash back from consumers to balance the state's energy debt book.

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PRODIGAL PROTÉGÉ: Former DASO Leader Liam Jacobs Ditches McKenzie’s PA, Reinvents Political Career with DA Return

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA

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JOHANNESBURG — In a major political twist ahead of the high-stakes 4 November 2026 Local Government Elections, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has officially welcomed back its former youth star and Member of Parliament, Liam Jacobs.

Jacobs has dramatically resigned from Gayton McKenzie's Patriotic Alliance (PA), just under a year after his high-profile midnight defection to the green mamba party on Youth Day 2025.

From Rising Star to Defector and Back Again

Jacobs’ political journey over the last few years reads like a fast-paced political thriller. His rapid shifts across the South African political spectrum showcase a highly fluid career:

A Former Chairperson of the DA Students Organisation (DASO) at the University of Pretoria, 
Jacobs was fast-tracked into the National Assembly following the 2024 general elections. 

However, in June 2025, he stunned the blue party by defecting to the PA,
claiming at the time that he felt "used" by the DA.

McKenzie immediately leveraged the young politician’s profile, deploying him to replace Kenny Kunene as a City of Johannesburg Councillor and naming him as the PA’s provisional mayoral Candidate for Tshwane.

The DA Statement: 'A Road of Chaos and Criminality'

The DA’s leadership has pulled no punches regarding Jacobs' brief tenure under Gayton McKenzie, stating that his return is a direct rejection of the PA's political culture.

"Liam Jacobs left the PA because he saw firsthand that the PA never delivers on promises," the DA said in a celebratory welcome-back brief. "People sometimes take the wrong road. What matters is whether they are willing to correct course and recommit themselves to the work of building a better South Africa. That is a sign of maturity and braveness."

The DA characterized the PA's internal environment as a school of "Chaos, personality cults, and empty promises," positioning itself by contrast as a steady, inclusive political home.

Rebuilding Burnt Bridges

The DA's leadership explicitly stated that it is moving past old grudges to consolidate its base ahead of the upcoming municipal polls, taking a clear swipe at traditional, vindictive political mindsets.

• No More Grievances: "We do not and will never subscribe to the school of politics that says once a bridge is burnt it can never be repaired."

• A Bigger Alternative: The party insisted that South Africa needs an alternative that is "bigger than division, and bigger than any individual."

Politician	Previous Role (DA)	Intermediate Role (PA)	Current Status (2026)
Liam Jacobs	Leader of DASO / Member of Parliament (Gauteng)	City of Joburg Councillor / PA Youth Alliance Leader	Rejoined the DA as an ordinary member/activist

Liam Jacobs' re-enlistment into the DA significantly disrupts the PA's campaign momentum for the 4 November 2026 Local Government Elections.

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