SOUTH AFRICA CONTINUES TO ENGAGE THE US GOVERNMENT ON THE RECIPROCAL TARIFFS

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SOUTH AFRICA CONTINUES TO ENGAGE THE US GOVERNMENT ON THE RECIPROCAL TARIFFS

President Cyril Ramaphosa notes with concern the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States on South African products.

The reciprocal tariffs have been imposed by the US on a significant number of its trade partners and South Africa has not been spared. 

South Africa will continue negotiating with the US regarding the 30 percent tariff announced by the US, which will come into effect on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 7 days after 1 August 2025. 

All applicable exceptions published in the previous US Executive Order are set to remain in force and these exceptions covered products such as copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, lumber articles, certain critical minerals, stainless steel scrap and energy and energy products. 

Government has been engaging the United States, and has submitted a Framework Deal that aims to enhance mutually beneficial trade and investment relations. 

All channels of communication remain open to engage with the US and our negotiators are ready pending invitation from the US. 

In the meantime, Government is finalizing a package to support companies that are vulnerable to the reciprocal tariffs. The package consists of a number of measures to assist companies, producers and workers affected by the tariffs on SA exports to the US. The details of the measures will be announced in due course. 

South Africa and US trade relations are complementary in nature and South African exports do not pose a threat to US industry. Importantly, SA exports to the US contain inputs from the African Continent and contribute to intra-Africa trade. 

South Africa will continue to pursue all diplomatic efforts to safeguard its national interests. It is important that as a country we keep our people at work and our companies producing some of the high-quality products destined for many parts of the world.

To this end, Government will intensify its diversification strategy to create resilience of our economy and is working with export councils and industry associations, as well as top exporters to the US with a view to assist with alternative markets. In this regard, an Export Support Desk to provide updates on development and provide advisory services to exporters has been established. The details are to be published by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition on its website. 

Government, through the dtic is also in constant contact with the US on the Framework Deal. The Executive order published by the United States today clarifies that goods loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading and in transit on the final mode of transit before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 7 days after 1 August 2025, and entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on October 5, 2025, shall not be subject to such additional duty and shall instead remain subject to the additional ad valorem duties previously imposed in Executive Order 14257, as amended. 

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TSHWANE CITY CLEANSING LEVY

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TSHWANE CITY CLEANSING LEVY

In February this year the Democratic Alliance (DA) called on the ANC coalition in the City of Tshwane not to introduce any new taxes on residents. In the months following, the DA repeatedly warned the ruling coalition not to treat Tshwane residents as cash cows in an attempt to balance their books.

Regardless of widespread public outcry, the ANC, EFF and ActionSA pushed forward and adopted a ‘funded’ budget that relied on the introduction of a city cleansing levy.

Today, in a victory for all citizens of Tshwane, at the behest of AfriForum, the court has set aside this cleansing levy as unlawful and ordered the levy to be scrapped and, where already implemented, reversed.

Tshwane imposed this new levy on all properties that are using private waste contractors to remove their waste. This means properties where there was no service being rendered by the City, are being charged extra by the City. Tshwane did this in order to raise over R500 million in new revenue.

It is essential to distinguish this daylight robbery from charges levied in a Metro to pay for actual services rendered.

Charging a fee for rendering no services, on people who receive private services, is daylight robbery.

The DA welcomes this decision and calls on the City of Tshwane to urgently rework its now un-funded budget to avoid breakdowns in service delivery.

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GDE UPDATE ON MUNICIPAL DEBT PAYMENTS AND INFRASTRUCTURE INTERVENTIONS

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GDE UPDATE ON MUNICIPAL DEBT PAYMENTS AND INFRASTRUCTURE INTERVENTIONS

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) wishes to provide an update on the fulfilment of its commitment to settle all outstanding municipal debts owed by schools as of 31 March 2025 and outline critical infrastructure interventions aimed at addressing overcrowding across the province’s public schools.

As of 30 June 2025, the GDE had successfully paid a total of R426.27 million, representing 99.95% of the R426.45 million that was owed to municipalities and Eskom for schools without Section 21(1)(d) functions. The small outstanding balance of R175,853.61 (0.05%) was due to a delay resulting from updates to the Standard Chart of Accounts (SCOA), a reform implemented by the Provincial Treasury to improve public financial management systems. 

The Department confirms that the remaining balance will be paid during the scheduled payment runs between 25 July and 8 August 2025. This payment will bring the total settlement to 100%, thereby closing the commitment made in April 2025.

The Department provides annual allocations to schools in accordance with the Amended National Norms and Standards for School Funding. School Governing Bodies (SGBs) are guided through circulars and compliance workshops to ensure appropriate usage of these funds and are expected to supplement state resources to ensure sustainability.

Currently, the GDE retains direct financial oversight of 40 schools in the province that have not been granted Section 21 functions. As of 30 June 2025, these schools collectively owed R105,391.24 in municipal debt. The Department confirms that none of these schools experienced any water or electricity disconnections and continues to monitor and manage service payments on their behalf. The Department reaffirms its commitment to ensuring no public school in Gauteng is or will be disconnected from water and electricity due to unpaid accounts.

Overcrowding at Some Schools

In addressing the broader challenge of overcrowding in Gauteng schools, the Department has allocated R2.8 billion in the 2025/26 financial year toward school infrastructure. Of this allocation, R1.489 billion is dedicated to the construction of new and replacement schools; R615 million will support upgrades and additions, including mobile classrooms and self-build projects; R166 million is earmarked for refurbishment and rehabilitation; and R476 million is allocated for maintenance interventions.

The GDE’s approach to overcrowding combines various infrastructure strategies, including the construction of new schools on available sites, brick-and-mortar self-build classroom projects within existing schools, and the provision of mobile classrooms where immediate relief is required. 

Importantly, the Department confirms that mobile classrooms are procured directly and not through monthly lease agreements, ensuring cost-effectiveness in their deployment.

Furthermore, the Department is exploring a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to accelerate school infrastructure delivery in high-pressure areas. Under this model, private sector partners would finance, design, build, and potentially operate or maintain public schools for a defined period, with the Department amortising payments over time. This model aims to unlock private capital, fast-track delivery timelines, and ensure long-term sustainability while maintaining public oversight and accountability.

“As the Department, we remain committed to ensuring sound financial governance, transparency, and service continuity in all public schools. We call on all education stakeholders, particularly parents, communities, and School Governing Bodies, to continue working closely with the Department to deliver quality learning environments across Gauteng,” said Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane.

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South Africa’s commitment to a conclusion on the US Trade Deal

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South Africa’s commitment to a conclusion on the US Trade Deal

The intersection of geopolitical, domestic and trade issues best defines the current impasse between South Africa and the United States, and a reset is unavoidable.

South Africa took the decision not to retaliate to the reciprocal tariffs announced by the United States. We also want to reiterate that we have no intention of decoupling from the United States either. Our view is that negotiations remain the best tool to deal with the issues that are on the table.

South Africa is not in a unique position as the United States attempts to finalise negotiations with some 185 countries around the world by the 1st of August 2025. We remain committed to the cause as we await substantive feedback from our US counterparts on the final status on our Framework deal.

Our deal featured a number of areas including and not limited to:

Importing 750-100 petajoules of Liquified Natural Gas for a 10 year period, unlocking $12 billion; Agricultural Market Access by simplifying of U.S. poultry exports under the 2016 tariff rate quota and unlock approximately $91m million in trade. In addition, readiness to open market access for blueberries subject to necessary protocols. 

South African firms committed to invest $3.3 billion in U.S. industries such as mining and metals recycling, while both governments agreed to pursue joint investment in critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, and agri-machinery.

Exemption of specific sectors from reciprocal tariffs to preserve supply-chains e.g. ship building, counter-seasonal agriculture trade, exports from MSMEs of less than $1 million per annum.

As the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, we have been in a period of intense negotiations with the United States. 

We have signed a condition precedent document and have readied our inputs for entry into the template which is to follow from the US. Despite the challenges that have been presented by this period, we have put our best foot forward, bringing together the subject specialists within our ranks that have dug deep to ensure that our country is adequately prepared for a number of potential scenarios.

We have planned for these scenarios and have not sat idle. We are working with other government departments on a response plan which includes a support desk within the dtic. Our response package also focuses on demand side interventions in the impacted industries.

The way forward is clear. President Ramaphosa has expressed our willingness to reset the trade relationship with the US and develop a solution which is mutually beneficial. 

The DTIC has made this issue an apex priority since well before 2 April 2025, and we have centred South Africa and her people as our non-negotiable. Rest assured, we will not waiver in our mission to ensure we make South Africa prosper.

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GAUTENG HOSPITAL CHAOS

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GAUTENG HOSPITAL CHAOS

An alarming number of patients get new infections caused by poor conditions in Gauteng public hospitals.

According to a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature, 7743 patients got hospital-acquired infections last year, including many antibiotic-resistant infections that are difficult to treat and could be life-threatening.

These are known as nosocomial infections, which develop during a hospital stay when patients get an infection other than what they were admitted for.

By far the worst hospital is Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital (CMJH), where 1473 out of 12 940 patients in 2024 got nosocomial infections (11%) - this is one in ten of all patients!

At the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (CHBH), there was a 6% nosocomial infection rate - 1796 infections out of 31 950 admissions.

Others with a concerning number of hospital-acquired infections include the following:

Edenvale Hospital - 407 (8%) out of 5166 admissions

Kalafong Hospital - 554 (6%) out of 8952 admissions

Tembisa Hospital - 596 (5%) out of 13 116 admissions

Rahima Moosa Hospital - 217 (5%) out of 4320 admissions

Leratong Hospital - 365 (4%) out of 1026 admissions

Pholosong Hospital - 249 (4%) out of 5796

Nosocomial infections are more likely in the higher-level hospitals because they have more complex cases with long hospital stays, do more invasive procedures, and use more antibiotics.

Steve Biko and George Mukhari academic hospitals fare better than CMJH and CHBH, with 3% nosocomial infections.

Of the tertiary hospitals, Helen Joseph has a 2% infection rate compared to 6% for Kalafong and 5% for Tembisa.

Amongst the regional hospitals, Thelle Mogoerane has only a 1% infection rate, compared to 3% for the Far East Rand, Mamelodi and Sebokeng hospitals, and 8% for the Edenvale hospital.

The Gauteng Health Department blames staff shortages, overcrowding, inadequate hand hygiene facilities, broken equipment, and frequent stock outs of essential cleaning materials such as soaps and disposable paper towels.

Linen shortages are also blamed, as it forces patients to reuse bedding and pyjamas for long periods, and surgical patients are at extra risk due to inability to provide clean linen pre-
and post-operatively.

The department admits that: "A significant shortage of nurses, doctors, cleaners. and allied health professionals is leading to staff being overburdened. As a result, tasks are often rushed, corners may be cut, and staff are pressured to 'push the line' or 'finish quickly', potentially compromising the quality and safety of care."

I am concerned that many patients are getting infections that can be easily avoided with basic improvements like decent cleaning and adequate linen.

Imagine the extra pain and suffering of patients who pick up infections that extends their stay in hospital and can even be life-threatening.

While some level of nosocomial infections will happen in even the best-run facility, urgent intervention is needed at the worst hospitals, particularly Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital. It is yet another reason why hospital CEO Gladys Bogoshi should be speedily replaced by a competent professional.

A DA-run health department would minimise new hospital infections by ensuring proper staffing and equipment, training in infection prevention, and discipline for any failure to provide a hygienic environment.

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100 000 Jobs on the line, Tau must ensure U.S. Trade Deal

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100 000 Jobs on the line, Tau must ensure U.S. Trade Deal

The DA is concerned that, with under a week remaining to the August 1 deadline, negotiations with the United States on a trade deal remain far from completion.

Minister Tau continues to claim negotiations are advancing, while South Africa is being kept in the dark, without any public updates, worried about the future of businesses.

Minister Parks Tau must conclude a trade deal with the United States before tariffs decimate our economic growth.

South Africa cannot afford a “no-deal” scenario. The economic cost is far too great.

The lives and livelihoods of 100 000 workers on our farms and in our car factories are far too important to be gambled with.

These jobs rest on the shoulders of the Minister and his Department, who have pursued the latest round of negotiations alone and kept the rest of the GNU in the dark.

The DA will welcome a deal with the United States that protects our agriculture and automotive sectors. But the ANC’s recent history gives us little faith: a fired Ambassador, a special envoy who isn’t even on the ground, and minimal action on the looming tariff threat to South African jobs and exports.

The ANC must reflect on its disastrous track record of engagements with the US, which have pushed South Africa further and further away from our second largest trading partner.

The progress of the Jackson Bill through the US Congress, which would permanently damage SA-US relations, falls squarely on the ANC’s foreign policy: non-aligned in name, mis-aligned in practice.

For every car worker in Gqeberha and farm hand in Citrusdal, the DA calls on Minister Tau: get a deal done, and get it done now.

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CRIME INTELLIGENCE SERGEANT IN COURT FOR DEFEATING THE ENDS OF JUSTICE

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CRIME INTELLIGENCE SERGEANT IN COURT FOR DEFEATING THE ENDS OF JUSTICE

North West Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit (ACIU) arrested Sergeant Myka Constance Shale, aged 46. The accused, who is attached to Crime Intelligence Gathering (CIG) was arrested at her house in Ikageng on Wednesday morning, 23 July 2025.

Reportedly, Shale met with an informer, who allegedly handed a firearm to her that was picked up on the murder scene of Wilfred Casper (38). The murder was reported on Saturday, 12 July 2025 in Marikana at Promosa, close to Potchefstroom. However, after receiving the firearm, it was never handed in/declared by her.

Wilfred Casper was found with multiple stab wounds and other injuries. He was declared dead on the scene by Emergency and Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) and within five day’s Ikageng Detectives arrested eight suspects between the ages of 27 and 35 for his murder. It is alleged that they are all members of the SVK-gang.

The eight appeared before the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 17 July 2025 for murder and were remanded in custody until their second and third court appearances before the same court on Thursday, 24 July 2025 and Friday, 25 July, for a bail application. 

Consequent to the investigation by the ACIU, Shale was arrested and granted R4 000.00 bail upon her appearance in the Potchefstroom Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 23 July 2025, for defeating the ends of justice.  She is expected to appear again before the same court on Monday, 6 October 2025.

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