ANC trade policy paralysis continues amidst looming US tariffs

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ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA

ANC trade policy paralysis continues amidst looming US tariffs

The interventions announced by Ministers Parks Tau and Ronald Lamola earlier today demonstrate that neither will take accountability for the 30% tariff imposed on South African exports to the United States of America in the absence of a solid trade deal.

Whereas our Southern African Development Community (SADC) neighbours have managed to negotiate their tariffs down to 15%, Ministers Tau and Lamola have left South African businesses and exporters vulnerable and exposed to the ongoing trade war. This diplomatic negligence and trade paralysis on South Africa’s part demands an urgent shift in attitude and approach on both accounts.

Interestingly, the interventions announced demonstrate that it is indeed possible for the ANC to rapidly cut the red tape that is strangling South African business. The measures such as the limited block exemption under the Competition Act is welcome, however, it does not go far enough. This eleventh hour action begs the question: why has it taken so long?

Surely now is the time for a comprehensive red tape reduction and deregulation across the entirety of the South African economy? This will allow South Africa to pursue bold and far-reaching reforms, including pivoting from blunt instruments such as ownership under the guise of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, towards genuine investment and social upliftment under equity equivalence programmes which would enable stronger foreign direct investment.

It is time that government gets serious about South African jobs and livelihoods, and this requires two sets of urgent reforms:

1: A sustainable and supportive environment for business to grow and export;

2: The pursuit of a genuinely non-aligned foreign policy that does not place petty party-political interests above the interests of the republic.

It is also high time for a career diplomat with an understanding of the Trump administration to urgently be appointed to Washington D.C. to better represent South African interests and begin the work of repairing diplomatic channels and protecting vital trade relationships upon which hundreds of thousands of local jobs depend.

This role is far too important to be left to political loyalty over professional expertise. Previous appointments have puts on full display the threat posed to South Africa’s prosperity by incompetent cadres and party hacks in key government positions.

We urge both Ministers Tau and Lamola to follow the example set by agriculture minister, John Steenhuisen, who has worked proactively and tirelessly to diversify our agricultural export markets in Asia, where South Africa has now secured meaningful, impactful deals in China, Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand.

Had Minister Lamola pursued economic diplomacy in any meaningful and non-aligned manner, we would not find ourselves in a situation where the fate of one of our key export markets now hangs perilously in the balance.

Ministers Tau and Lamola should not dismiss constructive criticism and alternative proposals as political point-scoring. The DA will not stop championing the cause of South African workers, businesses, and exporters through sound diplomacy and competitive international trade.

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EFF 30% TARIFFS HIKE BY UNITED STATES

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 ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA 

EFF 30% TARIFFS HIKE BY AMERICA

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) notes the statement issued by the South African government in response to the unilateral imposition of 30% tariffs by the United

States.  However, we reject this statement as weak, impotent, and inconsequential.

The joint statement by the Minister of International Relations and the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, is a reactionary utterance that reflects poor preparation and a deep lack of understanding of the shifting global geopolitical terrain. The

government’s failure to anticipate and adequately respond to these developments is a direct result of its incoherent, ideologically bankrupt foreign and economic policies.

The coalition of neoliberal parties in government cannot act decisively because they are constantly at war with each other and have no shared vision for national economic security.

We reiterate that the South African economy is disfigured and dysfunctional. For the

past 30 years, the ANC-led government has failed to reorganise the structure of the

economy away from its apartheid foundation. 

It has chosen to preserve colonial

patterns of ownership and production, leading to over 12 million unemployed people and the highest levels of racial inequality in the world. In such a stagnant and extractive economy, any attempt to position South Africa within the global trade environment becomes futile. Without resolving domestic structural constraints, our country will always be at the mercy of dominant imperial powers, tossed between competing global interests like a leaf in a storm.

Donald Trump is an unstable and illiterate imperialist whose misuse of economic

power threatens both the capitalist and socialist world order. His reckless and irrational tariff regime is rooted in a misguided understanding of global trade and is designed to impose American dominance by destabilising weaker economies. He represents a serious threat to global economic stability and the sovereignty of nations in the Global South.

The EFF has long maintained that Trump’s presidency is a danger to humanity, and it

is time for all progressive forces across the world to unite and support efforts to remove

him from office. The world has suffered under his strong-arm tactics for too long, and

just as the United States has imposed regime change globally, it is now time to assist

the people of the United States in unseating their own dictator.

There is an urgent need for South Africa to develop a coherent and ideologically grounded National Economic Security Policy. 

This must begin by addressing

inequality, unemployment, and poverty through domestic industrialisation,

beneficiation, and land reform. Equally, a progressive foreign policy must emerge—

one that prioritises building alliances with trading partners such as China, Brazil,

Russia, and countries in the Global South, not through begging, but through mutually

beneficial cooperation.

While the US market is significant, this is not a time for sheepish diplomacy. The team

that negotiated on behalf of South Africa was weak, apologetic, and subservient. They

were treated like school children by the United States because they acted like school

children. This behaviour exposes the dangers of sending spineless envoys to do the

bidding of capital.

The Democratic Alliance (DA), much like AfriForum and Solidarity, is a political

extension of right-wing, white supremacist interests that seek to protect apartheid

privileges under the guise of liberal constitutionalism. It operates with the same logic of racial gatekeeping, economic sabotage, and disinformation. Its presence in the Government of National Unity (GNU) is not a gesture of reconciliation but a strategic

effort to weaken the state from within. 

The DA uses state resources to undermine the

very government it serves in, while pursuing an agenda that protects monopoly capital

and foreign interests. It is a snake fed at the dinner table of democracy, only to poison

the well at night.

We reaffirm the need for South Africa to align with progressive trading partners who

respect national sovereignty, support industrial development, and do not treat trade as an extractive, transactional affair. 

The EFF calls for the urgent acceleration of trade agreements and partnerships outside of the United States. This must not be done

through bureaucratic support desks, but through decisive, strategic, and politically

coherent engagements with countries that share a vision for a just global economy.

Forums such as the G20 must be used to shift trade away from dependence on imperial powers and toward a multipolar order built on mutual respect, solidarity, and shared development.

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DEPARTMENT GOES DIGITAL TO IMPROVE MANAGEMENT OF NPO APPLICATIONS AND PAYMENTS

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ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA

DEPARTMENT GOES DIGITAL TO IMPROVE MANAGEMENT OF NPO APPLICATIONS AND PAYMENTS 

In keeping with the times and harnessing technology to improve efficiencies and to enhance the service delivery machinery, the Gauteng Department of Social Development is going digital. The Department is implementing the game-changing electronic NPO funding management system (Grantor) to process and pay claims from NPOs, and going forward, the applications for funding and submission of business plans and subsequent issue of SLAs will be done through the Grantor system. 

The Department is bidding goodbye to the old days of paperwork. MEC Faith Mazibuko will host mandatory workshops and system awareness sessions across all five provincial corridors to help NPOs master this powerful new tool. 

Starting tomorrow until Friday, the Department will be going to all 5 corridors of Gauteng to introduce and to workshop NPOs about the new groundbreaking online system. "We are investing in technology to improve the processing of applications and payments, something which has been a challenge for the Department. With this new online system, we will be able to work faster, efficiently and we encourage NPOs to attend our mandatory workshops so that they can learn more about the Grantor system. This is your chance to level up your funding application game and embrace a smarter, smoother way of working", MEC Faith Mazibuko said. 

The first workshop will be held tomorrow, 

04 August 2025, in Sebokeng from 12H00. 

The roll out for the week will be as follows; 05 August - Central Corridor (JHB) 

06 August - Eastern Corridor (Ekurhuleni) 

07 August - Western Corridor (West Rand) 

08 August - Northern Corridor (Tshwane).

Venues and starting times will be confirmed shortly. 

NPOs are required to bring their laptops to the workshops. 

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Premier Panyaza Lesufi gives an update on release of forensic investigations reports

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ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA

Premier Panyaza Lesufi gives an update on release of forensic investigations reports 

Ladies and gentlemen of the media, good morning. Welcome to our media briefing, where we are releasing the findings of concluded forensic investigation reports finalised by the Provincial Forensic Audit Unit in the Office of the Premier. This forms part of our broader commitment to transparent and accountable governance in Gauteng. 

This latest consignment follows an earlier public release that took place on 24 June 2025, where we made public the outcomes of 47 forensic reports. It reaffirms the Gauteng Provincial Government’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and the fight against corruption and maladministration. Corruption continues to be one of the country's most pressing challenges, undermining effective governance and sustainable development. While Gauteng is not exempt from this issue, the province has demonstrated a strong commitment to combating corruption through proactive measures, institutional reforms, and enhanced accountability mechanisms. 

These efforts reflect a dedicated approach to fostering transparency, integrity, and long-term progress. Under its G-13 priorities for the seventh administration, the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) has prioritised combating corruption and transparency, and openness are essential in the fight against corruption. By upholding these principles, public institutions can foster a culture of accountability and integrity, ensure ethical governance, and restore public confidence. 

The released reports detail investigations into serious offences and improper behaviour across multiple departments. They cover a wide range of misconduct, from criminal acts to minor breaches of conduct. 

The breakdown of the reports is as follows: 

• GDARD - 10 reports 

• Education - 7 reports 

• Roads and Transport - 4 reports 

• Health - 4 reports 

• Infrastructure Development – 3 reports 

• GGB- Economic Development - 2reports 

• Economic Development – 1 report 

• Gauteng Tourism/Economic Development – 1 report 

• GLB-Economic Development – 1 report 

• GGDA-Economic Development – 1 report 

• e-Government – 1 report 

• Treasury – 1 report 

• G-FLEET – 1 report 

• GPT/Education – 1 report 

• Medical Supply Depot – 1 report 

These provincial departments are implementing the recommendations, which include establishing disciplinary action, strengthening weak or compromised internal controls, and filing criminal cases with the South African Police Service (SAPS). In addition, they must pursue damages from implicated employees using the Fruitless and Wasteful Expenditure Framework. Under the Prescription Act 68 of 1969, departments are also required to file civil claims within the stipulated timeframe. 

Furthermore, following supply chain management procedures and regulations, service providers involved in dishonest or unlawful activity will also be blacklisted. 

Through quarterly reports to the Premier and the Provincial AntiCorruption Coordinating Committee, the Office of the Premier monitors the fulfilment of the recommendations from the forensic investigation findings, including recoveries. 

We repeat our posture as the provincial government: all reports will be released step by step after all legal issues are resolved. We will not make them public too soon if doing so could harm the enforcement or implementation of the recommendations. We are aware that releasing certain details early might disrupt ongoing legal cases or make it harder to follow the recommendations, including putting whistleblowers' identities and safety at risk. 

The reports we are presenting today will be accessible to all the members of the public once the State Law Advisory Services finishes redacting personal details and reviewing the changes. Protecting whistleblowers is essential for transparency and justice. They risk their safety to expose corruption and abuse of power, helping ensure accountability and ethical governance. 

Reallocation of Heads of Departments 

On the 17 July 2025, when I delivered the Budget Vote Speech at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, I announced the resetting of the Gauteng Provincial Administration as per the recommendations from the Gauteng Ethics and Advisory Council (GEAC). This follows a series of under expenditure and underperformance by departments, lifestyle audits, and failures to meet performance targets in some instances. 

The following changes of Heads of Departments have thus been effected as of 1 August 2025 as follows: 

• Department of eGovernment: Masabata Mutlaneng 

• Department of Infrastructure Development: Rufus Mmutlana 

• Treasury: Ncumisa Mnyani (retained) 

• COGTA: Darion Barclay (retained) 

• Transport: Thulani Mdadane (retained, post to be advertised) 

• Human Settlements: Puleng Gadebe-Mabaso (retained) 

• Agriculture and Rural Development: Khululekile Mase (retained) 

In the following departments I have appointed Acting HOD’s. We are in the recruitment process for permanent appointments. 

 • Environment: Matthew Sathekge 

 • Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation: Mpho Nawa 

 • Social Development: Phumla Sekhonyane 

 • Education: Albert Chaane 

 • Community Safety: Pending 

• Health: Pending 

Appointment of Economic Development Head of Department 

It also gives me great pleasure to announce that we have appointed a new HOD for the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, Mr Motlatjo Moholwa. Mr Moholwa brings with him a wealth of experience in the public service. He has served as the Head of Economic Research and Chief Economist in the City of Johannesburg, a Lead Economist for the Land Bank and the Deputy Director General (DDG) in the Mpumalanga and Gauteng Departments of Economic Development. I am confident that he will serve with utmost diligence and commitment and help us achieve our goal of growing the Gauteng economy. Inter-governmental Relations 

On 25 July 2025, I convened a meeting with all municipalities in the province. We received a report and deliberated on the following matters: 

• State of readiness of Group (G20) Leaders’ Summit 

• Report from the Cities of Tshwane and Johannesburg, on the state of readiness for the Urban20 

• The State of Gauteng Municipal Finances for the period ending 31 May 2025 

• The State of Local Government Performance: Service Delivery Measures and Interventions 

• Analytical Report on the Crime Prevention initiative in the Municipalities across the Province 

• Update Report on the notice of investigation into allegations of maladministration and improper conduct by various organs of state in addressing issues of sinkholes plaguing Khutsong residents 

• Framework for Municipal Indigent Policies & Rollout of Indigent Register 

We continue to ensure that all spheres of government in Gauteng work together to ensure improved service delivery and economic prosperity for all. Our priority is to ensure stability in the provincial government and continue to uphold the pillars of the Gauteng Anti-Corruption Strategy, preventing, detecting, investigating, and responding swiftly to alleged acts of corruption. 

We must emphasise our shared responsibility in combating this issue, as corruption undermines development and deprives citizens of opportunities for a better life. 

Everyone has a role to play in fighting this problem. Gauteng hosts LIV Golf Tournament Gauteng is proud to host the multibillion golf tournament, which will be hosted for the first time on the African soil in March 2026 in Steyn City. The tournament will see 54 top golfers from around the world coming to South Africa. This milestone continues to prove that Gauteng remains the preferred destination to host world class major events and to invest. 

We sincerely thank the Minister of Sports, Gayton McKenzie, for ensuring Gauteng is the host province and for providing all the necessary support. We urge South Africans to support the tournament in their numbers. 

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

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ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA

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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ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA

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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