Thursday, 13 August 2026

ANC Reviews 2021 Manifesto: Highlights Expansion in Basic Services and Details Local Government Turnarounds

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

ANC Reviews 2021 Manifesto: Highlights Expansion in Basic Services and Details Local Government Turnarounds

By KasiBCAfrica News

SOUTH AFRICA — The African National Congress (ANC) has presented its local government interventions review, evaluating its performance under the 2021 Local Government Elections Manifesto theme, "Building Better Communities Together: A People’s Plan for a Better Life for All."

The comprehensive review outlines the ruling party's record over the 2021–2026 term, highlighting expansions in basic infrastructure alongside interventions aimed at addressing financial distress, governance failures, and service delivery backlogs.

Long-Term Progress in Basic Services (2002–2025)

The review documents sustained long-term expansions in household access to essential infrastructure across South Africa's municipalities:

Electricity Access: Rose from 76.7% in 2002 to over 90% by 2025.

Improved Sanitation: Increased from 61.7% in 2002 to approximately 84% by 2025.

Formal Housing: The proportion of households residing in formal dwellings expanded from 65.1% in 1996 to more than 84% by 2025.

The party reiterated its commitment to the Free Basic Services framework, which provides qualifying indigent households with a subsidized monthly allocation of water, electricity, sanitation, and refuse removal.

Section 139 Interventions & Municipal Turnarounds

Addressing structural weaknesses and financial distress across municipalities, the review noted that 39 municipalities were receiving Section 139 intergovernmental interventions in 2025, including four subject to national intervention under Section 139(7).

To streamline oversight, the government introduced the Intergovernmental Monitoring, Support and Interventions Bill in 2025 to establish formal timelines and criteria for early intervention under Section 154 before total administrative failure occurs.

Notable Municipal Turnarounds Highlighted:

Bela-Bela Local Municipality: Achieved the first clean audit in its history.

Mamusa Local Municipality: Progressed from seven consecutive disclaimers to an unqualified audit under intervention, alongside improved Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) spending.

Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality: Fully spent its infrastructure grant allocation in 2024/25, installed thousands of smart meters, and boosted local revenue.

Eastern Cape Governance: Eight Eastern Cape municipalities achieved clean audits, anchored by performance in Mnquma and Senqu local municipalities.

uMhlathuze Local Municipality: Maintained clean audit outcomes coupled with service delivery gains.

District Governance: Capricorn and Waterberg District Councils in Limpopo sustained clean audit records.

Metropolitan Recovery: eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality recorded a 93% cumulative revenue collection rate, fully restored all public beaches, and achieved its highest tourist spend on record in 2025 under the Presidential Working Group.

Governance, Anti-Corruption, and Legislative Reforms

To tackle tender-rigging, nepotism, and maladministration, the review highlighted key regulatory and policy mechanisms:

Municipal Staff Regulations: Enforced uniform appointment and discipline standards to prevent officials dismissed for financial misconduct from securing employment in other municipalities.

Consultant Reduction: Prioritizing internal capacity building within municipal finance departments to diminish reliance on third-party consultants for financial statement preparation.

2026 White Paper on Local Government: Scheduled for formal approval and publication in September 2026, the White Paper will introduce structural reforms to local government financial systems, spatial transformation, and a structured compact with Traditional and Khoisan Leadership.

"The review is an exercise in responsible leadership and democratic accountability... The ANC will account honestly, implement purposefully, and improve continuously as we prepare for the 2026 Local Government Elections." — African National Congress Statement

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EFF Rejects Constitutional Court Dismissal of Direct Appeal in Section 89 Impeachment Matter

KASiBCAFRiCA©®™
BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

EFF Rejects Constitutional Court Dismissal of Direct Appeal in Section 89 Impeachment Matter

By KasiBCAfrica News

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JOHANNESBURG — The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have expressed deep disappointment over the Constitutional Court’s decision to refuse direct access to appeal the Western Cape High Court ruling regarding the Section 89 Impeachment Committee.

The apex court concluded that it is not in the interests of justice to hear the appeal at this stage, citing the "imminent determination" of the main review application scheduled in the Western Cape Division of the High Court, which it expects will render the current interim interdict moot.

The EFF has strongly rejected the court’s assertion that a judicial resolution is imminent, arguing that the decision leaves Parliament’s constitutional oversight powers paralyzed indefinitely.

Key Arguments Raised by the EFF

1. Hearing Dates Do Not Guarantee Imminent Judgments

The EFF pointed out that the review application is set to be heard on 2 and 3 September 2026 in the Western Cape High Court. However, the party argued that scheduling a hearing date provides no guarantee of a swift judgment.

"A matter being scheduled for hearing does not mean that its judgment is imminent. Our judicial history has demonstrated that judgments can take months, and sometimes more than a year, to be delivered. The Phala Phala matter took approximately 15 months for judgment to be handed down after the matter was heard." — Economic Freedom Fighters Statement

2. Suspension of Separation of Powers

The Red Berets warned that the Western Cape High Court’s interdict halts Parliament's statutory mandate to hold the Executive accountable.

The EFF argued that continuing administrative preparations—such as appointing an Evidence Leader and allocating resources for the Impeachment Committee—becomes meaningless if the committee is legally barred from executing its investigative function.

3. Untested Legality of High Court Intervention

By dismissing the direct appeal, the Constitutional Court has left the Western Cape High Court's interdict operative without testing its constitutional validity. The party warned that allowing lower courts to suspend parliamentary accountability processes sets a dangerous precedent for the separation of powers.

EFF Vows to Continue the Fight for Executive Accountability

While emphasizing its respect for the judiciary as an independent arm of the state, the EFF maintained that judicial decisions impacting parliamentary authority must be challenged.

The party pledged to pursue every legal and political avenue to prevent the Section 89 impeachment process from being derailed by procedural delays or paralysis within the courts.

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Minister Schreiber’s Electronic Visa System Set to Unlock Jobs and Economic Growth

KASiBCAFRiCA©®™
BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

Minister Schreiber’s Electronic Visa System Set to Unlock Jobs and Economic Growth

By KasiBCAfrica News

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SOUTH AFRICA — The launch of South Africa’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) marks a major milestone in modernising the national immigration framework, making the country significantly easier to visit while enhancing border security.

Spearheaded by the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Leon Schreiber, the digital system replaces manual, paper-heavy visa application processes with an online platform integrated with biometric verification and automated risk analysis.

Digital Convenience Meets Advanced Security

Under the new ETA platform, international travellers can complete their applications entirely online—uploading passport scans and a facial photo to verify identity through automated facial recognition technology.

Key features of the new ETA system include:

Digital Wallet Storage: Approved travellers carry their digital travel authorization directly on their smartphone devices.
Rapid Turnaround: Applications are processed through machine learning risk analysis, with approved authorisations issued within 24 hours.
Biometric Border Verification: Facial recognition technology checks travellers at entry and exit points, reducing wait times at airport counters while tracking overstayers in real time.
Digital Extensions: Visitors entering South Africa for up to 90 days can apply online through the ETA platform to extend their stay for an additional 90 days.

Driving Tourism and Job Creation

The Democratic Alliance (DA) commended Minister Schreiber’s leadership in executing the digital overhaul, citing tourism as a vital catalyst for local economic development.

"Tourism is one of the most powerful engines for job creation in our country. Every additional legitimate traveller who chooses South Africa means more spending in our hotels, restaurants, attractions, and communities—supporting businesses and creating jobs across the tourism economy." — Democratic Alliance Statement

The new ETA system reverses previous administrative delays and physical paperwork requirements that historically constrained South Africa's tourism competitiveness compared to international peer destinations.

Phased Rollout Across National Airports

Officially launched at OR Tambo International Airport alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa, the ETA system is initially operational at major international air gateways:

OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg)
Cape Town International Airport
King Shaka International Airport (Durban)
Lanseria International Airport

Over the coming months, the Department of Home Affairs plans to expand biometric capabilities and the digital entry framework across land and sea ports of entry. The long-term vision aims to transition all visa categories into an integrated digital migration management portal.

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Wednesday, 12 August 2026

EFF Blasts National Treasury as Q2 2026 Unemployment Surges to 33.6%

EFF Blasts National Treasury as Q2 2026

KASiBCAFRiCA©®™
BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

EFF Blasts National Treasury as Q2 2026 Unemployment Surges to 33.6%

By KasiBCAfrica News

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JOHANNESBURG — The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have issued a blistering critique of the government's economic policy framework following the release of Statistics South Africa’s (Stats SA) Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the second quarter of 2026.

The latest data paints a grim picture of the country’s deepening joblessness crisis, revealing an official unemployment rate increase from 32.7% in Q1 to 33.6% in Q2 2026. An additional 345,000 people joined the ranks of the unemployed during the quarter, bringing the total number of unemployed South Africans to 8.481 million.

The broader expanded unemployment rate—which includes discouraged job seekers—stands at 43.8%, with overall labour underutilisation reaching a staggering 46.3%.

Women’s Month Spotlight: Deepening Disparities

Highlighting the timing of the release during Women's Month, the EFF emphasized that the data exposes a glaring contradiction between government rhetoric on gender empowerment and the severe economic realities facing women.

Female Unemployment: Rose to 37.5% (4.373 million women), reflecting an increase of 219,000 in a single quarter.
Male Unemployment: Stands lower at 30.3%.
Youth Crisis: 5 million young people aged 15–34 remain unemployed, pushing youth unemployment to 47.4%. Furthermore, 36.4% of youth aged 15–24 are currently Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET).

Cost of Living vs. SRD Grant

The party also linked the joblessness crisis to rising household inflation and inadequate social relief:

Average Household Food Basket: Risen to R5,530.52 per month (up by R87.81 year-on-year).
Basic Nutritional Requirement: Estimated at R962 per person monthly.
Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant: Remains pegged at R370 per month—covering less than half of a person's basic nutritional needs.

National Treasury Blamed; Local Government Proposed as Solution

The EFF laid the blame directly at the door of National Treasury, accusing it of enforcing restrictive fiscal consolidation policies that limit the state’s ability to act as a direct employer and infrastructure builder.

Looking ahead to the upcoming local government elections, the EFF outlined key policy proposals to transform municipalities into engines of direct job creation:

In-Sourcing Services: End third-party outsourcing and tender systems to retain municipal funds for direct employment.
Direct Municipal Hiring: Employ local residents directly to construct and maintain roads, water, sanitation, electricity networks, and waste management systems.
Expanded Indigent Support: Provide free basic services to struggling and low-income households to alleviate cost-of-living pressures.

"A household without a stable income cannot be expected to choose between putting food on the table and paying an unaffordable municipal bill. The Q2 2026 QLFS presents a clear indictment of the current economic policy direction." — EFF Statement

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Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Pouring Hot Cooking Oil on White River Street Vendor

By KasiBCAfrica News

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WHITE RIVER, MPUMALANGA — The Nelspruit Regional Court has sentenced 38-year-old Given Smiso Nkosi to 15 years of direct imprisonment for the attempted murder of street vendor Emelinah Mdlovu. The sentence follows a horrific attack in broad daylight that left the informal trader with severe burn injuries.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the sentence, emphasizing that senseless violence against innocent citizens working to earn an honest living will not be tolerated by the justice system.

Chased and Doused in Scalding Oil

The brutal incident occurred on 24 January 2026 in White River, where Mdlovu was operating her street vending stall selling vetkoek.

According to evidence led by the State, Mdlovu observed Nkosi getting into a physical fight with another man nearby. As the brawl drifted closer to her vending station—where a large pot of cooking oil was actively boiling—Mdlovu warned both men to stop fighting and move away to prevent anyone from getting hurt.

Instead of backing off, Nkosi turned his rage on the street vendor:

Fearing for her safety, Mdlovu fled her stall on foot.

Nkosi grabbed the large pot filled with boiling oil from the stall and gave chase.

Upon catching up to her, Nkosi poured the scalding oil directly over Mdlovu's body, inflicting severe burns.

An alert motorist driving past witnessed Nkosi chasing Mdlovu and dousing her in hot oil. The eyewitness immediately intervened and called for assistance, allowing police officers to arrive swiftly and arrest Nkosi near the scene. Mdlovu was rushed to a local hospital via ambulance for emergency treatment.

Justice Served in Court

During trial proceedings, State Prosecutor Simon Mamabolo successfully argued against bail, keeping Nkosi in custody throughout the legal process. Although Nkosi pleaded not guilty, the prosecution presented overwhelming testimony from the victim, the eyewitness, and medical experts detailing the severity of Mdlovu’s burn injuries.

In arguing for aggravation of sentence, the State underscored that Mdlovu was an innocent bystander providing for her family when she became the target of unprovoked violence.

"The successful prosecution and sentence underscore the NPA's commitment to holding perpetrators of violent crime accountable and ensuring justice for victims. The sentence sends a clear message that senseless acts of violence against innocent members of society will not be tolerated and will attract serious consequences." — National Prosecuting Authority Statement

In addition to his 15-year direct imprisonment sentence, the Nelspruit Regional Court declared Nkosi unfit to possess a firearm.

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Thursday, 13 August 2026